Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print New Treatment Promising For Ulcerative Colitis Sufferers

New Treatment Promising For Ulcerative Colitis Sufferers

January 04, 2006

For people with the chronic disease ulcerative colitis, life can be limited to few social functions and trips away from home.

A promising new therapy pioneered by University of Kentucky gastroenterology specialists may offer improved lives to patients suffering from moderate to severe forms of the disease.




Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon, leading to abdominal pain and such frequent trips to the bathroom that normal routines can be disrupted. Finding the right treatment can be difficult, with therapies that may include steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, or possibly surgery in as many as 25 to 40 percent of ulcerative colitis patients.

A drug already used for other inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's and rheumatoid arthritis, has received FDA approval for treatment of ulcerative colitis after performing well in clinical trials. UK was a primary investigator of infliximab, brand name Remicade®, and enrolled the largest study group in North America.

"It's a very welcome addition to our treatment options," said Willem J.S. deVilliers, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the UK Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition. DeVilliers co-authored a report of the trial, which was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

One of the study participants is Robert Lewandowski, of Hager Hill in Johnson County. Lewandowski was diagnosed with the disease a decade ago and saw the retirement plans he and his wife made slipping away as he became more and more reluctant to leave home.

"The first thing you do is when you think about going somewhere, you have to think about where the bathroom is and how quickly you can get to it," Lewandowski said. "Eventually, you stop going and doing things because it's too much of a problem."

Lewandowski's disease went into remission after a few years, then reappeared, sending him to the bathroom 20 or more times a day. Therapies he used in the past didn't work, so his physician referred him to the clinical study at UK. He saw an improvement almost immediately, and a year later, he is able to lead a normal life, with no symptoms of the disease. "I'm happy," he said.

The medication is administered intravenously, with an initial regimen of three doses of infliximab, followed by maintenance infusions every eight weeks. Nearly 70 percent of patients receiving the drug experienced clinical response and remission early in the trial, and nearly all had significant results after one year of therapy.

For more information, contact the UK Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at (859) 323-5575.

Written by: Beth Goins

University of Kentucky



Related Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News Articles Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News RSS Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News RSS
Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes
In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

M. D. Anderson redefines screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers
Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

Probiotic Found to Be Effective Treatment for Colitis In Mice
The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found.

Discovery of genetic defect may lead to better treatments for common gut diseases
New findings related to an uncommon genetic disorder may impact the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the most common chronic gastrointestinal illness in children and teens. Two million Americans have IBD which involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Oxidized form of a common vitamin may bring relief for ulcerative colitis
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology finds retinoic acid may alleviate ulcerative colitis and similar irritable bowel diseases.

Promising new target emerges for autoimmune diseases
University of Michigan scientists say they have uncovered a fundamentally new mechanism that holds in check aggressive immune cells that can attack the body's own cells.

Subclinical markers predict relapse in juvenile idiopathic arthritis post methotrexate withdrawal
Elevated levels of the inflammatory biomarkers Myeloid Related Protein (MRP) 8/14 predict an increased risk of relapse following withdrawal of methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who have achieved inactive disease status.

Electronic Pill Shows Its Smarts by Measuring pH Levels in Digestive Tract
An electronic diagnostic tool called the SmartPill is swallowed by patients in order to take measurements as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract.

Enzyme involved in inflammatory bowel disease discovered at Penn State College of Medicine
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, working with biochemists, geneticists and clinicians at the University of Bern, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom, have discovered an enzyme that has a key role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

UCLA cancer researchers first to link intestinal inflammation with systemic chromosome damage
UCLA scientists have linked for the first time intestinal inflammation with systemic chromosome damage in mice, a finding that may lead to the early identification and treatment of human inflammatory disorders.
More Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News Articles
The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)

The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The)
by Jill Sklar (Author), M.D. Manuel Sklar (Foreword)

This newly revised edition includes new research and insights to help everyone newly diagnosed with IBD come to terms with their condition and the accompanying lifestyle changes – along with other vital information about IBD.

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
by Tracie M Dalessandro MS RD CDN (Author)

From a patient who is also a dietitian...

Everything you need to know about nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease including healing foods, recipes, supplements and more.

At the age of nineteen, author Tracie Dalessandro was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and eventually Crohn's disease. After years of trying to heal, Dalessandro realized the power of using diet in conjunction with traditional medicine to control her inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rather than allowing it to control her. Nutrition became the link between feeling sick and feeling well.

What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis is an invaluable resource containing the latest nutrition and diet information for those suffering from IBD....

Coping Successfully With Ulcerative Colitis (Overcoming Common Problems)

Coping Successfully With Ulcerative Colitis (Overcoming Common Problems)
by Peter Cartwright (Author)

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis occurs most often in people ages 15 to 40, although children and older people sometimes develop the disease. Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and appears to run in some families. There are 90,000 sufferers in the UK and 400,000 in the United States. This book covers: Causes Diagnosis Treatments Surgery Living with an ileostomy or a pouch Living with ulcerative colitis, including emotional issues and effects on the family Diet Ulcerative Colitis...

100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide

100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide
by Andrew S., M.D. Warner (Author), Amy E., M.D. Barto (Author)

Whether you’re a newly diagnosed patient, or a friend or relative of someone suffering with Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, this book offers help. Completely revised and updated,100 Questions & Answers About Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide, Second Editionprovides authoritative, practical answers to common questions about this condition to help patients and families achieve a greater understanding of all aspects of dealing with Crohns Disease including treatment options, sources of support, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this disease.



Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery

Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery
by Raman Prasad (Author)

Narrative of an individual's successful recovery from inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Everything You Need to Know (Your Personal Health)

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Everything You Need to Know (Your Personal Health)
by Fred Saibil (Author)

Includes the most recent medical research.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes two chronic conditions known as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This has remained for too long the secret illness that no one wants to discuss. Although up to 1,000 per 100,000 North Americans have IBD, no one is completely sure what causes it, and there is no known cure.

Dr. Fred Saibil, a renowned expert on IBD, provides concise, up-to-date information on common conditions. He describes the normal gastrointestinal system, and then explains what goes wrong when someone has IBD.

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis also covers: - Signs and symptoms - How the gastrointestinal system works normally and how IBD affects it - Procedures and instruments used to diagnose IBD -...

VSL #3 Capsules (60 caps)

VSL #3 Capsules (60 caps)
by Sigma Tau

VSL#3 Capsules for Ulcerative Colitis - 60 ea (Refrigerated Item= MUST be Shipped NEXT DAY AIR)

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet

Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet
by Elaine Gloria Gottschall (Author)



Colitiscope: Living With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Colitiscope: Living With Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
by Andrew Tubesing (Author)

More of an adventure story than an encyclopedia, this resource for Crohn’s and colitis patients weaves humor with introspection and information with observation. Written by a sufferer of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the guide shares common tales and insights while also covering symptoms, medications, and procedures, from a uniquely entertaining viewpoint. Humor and frankness are used as a coping method, helping to illustrate and conquer common difficulties brought on by the chronic illness.



Self Healing Colitis & Crohns

Self Healing Colitis & Crohns
by David Klein (Author)

This is a new paperback edition of the world's #1 self healing guide book for IBD and IBS health recovery. It explains that IBD is caused by toxic diets and lifestyle stress, and that the body requires a clean-digesting nutritious diet, rest and extra sleep in order to self-heal. This is not a plan for managing IBD and IBS, nor is this a quick-fix gimmick. Rather, this approach removes the causes of disease and promotes lasting health for everyone without medicine by supplying our biological health needs. It is based upon the venerable Natural Hygiene Self-healing System which has led million of people to lasting health. This powerful book covers diet, lifestyle and psychology, presenting the Vegan Diet Healing Plan with correct food combining. This is the only dietary approach which...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com