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Infliximab scheduled treatment has proven to be an effective strategy in IBD patients
October 25, 2007Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic-relapsing diseases, the clinical courses of which are characterized by periods of remission and periods of acute flare up, determining clinical symptoms which have a strong impact on the quality of life for patients. For many years, corticosteroids have represented the cornerstone of therapy for induction of remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD); however, the side-effects emerging with long-term use exceeded the clinical benefits. Recently, Infliximab (IFX) has become an alternative choice in the treatment strategies for CD and UC. Some safety issues are associated with IFX use, mostly related to the development of adverse events (e.g. opportunistic infections, autoimmune disorders and infusion reactions). Major concerns are related to the reactivation of latent tuberculosis and development of malignancy, even if there is no clear evidence the use of IFX increases the incidence of solid cancers. The research published on issue 39 of World Journal of Gastroenterology and led by Renato Caviglia at University Campus Biomedico in Italy aimed to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term therapy with IFX, reviewing the medical charts of 41 IBD patients who received, after a loading dose of 3 IFX infusions, scheduled retreatment every 8 weeks as maintenance protocol.
Results of this retrospective study confirm current data on the efficacy of IFX in inducing a rapid clinical response in CD and UC, and support the finding, emerging from uncontrolled study data, of prolonged clinical efficacy in maintaining long-lasting remission beyond 1 year of treatment. The steroid-sparing effect of IFX was another important finding emerging from our study, which confirmed the efficacy of a scheduled treatment regimen in avoiding the well-known morbidity associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy. Interestingly, long-term IFX therapy in IBD has been demonstrated to potentially modify the course of the disease. Indeed, 9 out of the 29 CD and 4 out of the 9 UC patients, who discontinued IFX scheduled treatment, were still relapse-free after a median of 16 (range, 5-30) and 6.5 (range, 4-16) months since the last IFX infusion, respectively.
A note of caution is mandatory when considering the possible risk of malignancy associated with the use of anti-TNF-alpha therapy. Further studies on larger scales are needed to further clarify these important aspects.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Ulcerative Colitis Current Events and Ulcerative Colitis News RSSM. 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.
Chronic diarrhea unresponsive to conventional medication: Are you taking lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which powerfully suppresses gastric acid production and is widely prescribed for chronic use in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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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... |
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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.... |
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Colitis & Me: A Story of Recovery by Raman Prasad (Author) Narrative of an individual's successful recovery from inflammatory bowel disease. |
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Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet by Elaine Gloria Gottschall (Author) |
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100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide by Andrew S. Warner (Author), Amy E. Barto (Author) Approximately one million Americans may have Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient or a loved one of someone with Chrohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, this book offers help. The only text to provide both the doctor's and patient's views, 100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis provides authoritative, practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones, including questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by Drs. Warner and Barto, with actual patient commentary, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. |
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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. |
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