Infliximab as rescue medication for patients with severe ulcerative/indeterminate colitis refractory to tacrolimus

Autor: D. N. Barthel, C. S. Barthel, K.J Schmidt, Eduard F. Stange, Klaus Herrlinger, Klaus Fellermann, Jan Wehkamp, Jürgen Büning
Rok vydání: 2010
Předmět:
Zdroj: Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
ISSN: 1365-2036
0269-2813
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04267.x
Popis: Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1036–1041 Summary Background The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus and the anti-TNF-antibody infliximab are established options in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab-salvage therapy in patients with refractory UC failing to respond to tacrolimus. Methods Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this evaluation. Reasons for tacrolimus therapy were steroid-refractory disease in 19 patients and steroid-dependency in five patients. All patients receiving infliximab had tacrolimus-refractory active disease (Lichtiger score >10) and were treated with 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2 and 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter, if tolerated. Results Six of 24 patients (25%) achieved remission following infliximab infusion and four of 24 (17%) had an initial response only, but underwent proctocolectomy later because of loss of response (3) or development of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (1). Fourteen patients (58%) completely failed to respond with 10 undergoing colectomy. Eight patients experienced side effects under infliximab, including two infectious complications (herpes zoster and herpes pneumonia). Conclusions Infliximab offers a therapeutic option as rescue therapy in about a quarter of patients with active UC after failing to respond to tacrolimus. This benefit has to be weighed against the risks of infectious complications.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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