Intestinal Behçet's Disease with Primary Myelofibrosis Involving Trisomy 8

JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway in Non-Infectious Uveitis

Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) refers to various intraocular inflammatory disorders responsible for severe visual loss. Cytokines participate in the regulation of ocular homeostasis and NIU pathological processes. Cytokine receptors transmit signals by activating Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. Increasing evidence from human NIU and experimental models reveals the involvement of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in NIU pathogenesis. Several small-molecule drugs that potentially inhibit multiple cytokine-dependent pathways are under investigation for treating autoimmune diseases, implicating possible applications for NIU treatment. This review summarizes the current understanding of the diverse roles of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in ocular homeostasis and NIU pathology, providing a rationale for targeting JAKs and STATs for NIU treatment. Moreover, available evidence for the safety and efficacy of JAK inhibitors for refractory uveitis and potential approaches for treatment optimization are discussed.

Trisomy 8-positive Polycythemia Vera Complicated with Intestinal Behçet's-like Disease: A New Perspective for a Clinical Approach

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown origin. It rarely but occasionally occurs together with myelodysplastic syndrome and primary myelofibrosis. Trisomy 8 is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in myeloid neoplasms; however, the association of BD with polycythemia vera (PV) and trisomy 8 has not been reported. A 70-year-old woman, diagnosed with PV and treated with hydroxyurea, had bloody stool due to multiple ulcers in the ileocecal region. Considering the lack of a response to treatment and other features, we suspected complication with intestinal Behçet's-like disease. Our case suggests relationships among BD, trisomy 8, and PV.