Treatment patterns and intensification within 5 year of follow-up of the first-line anti-TNFα used for the treatment of IBD: Results from the VERNE study.

BACKGROUND: Anti-TNFα represent one of the main treatment approaches for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Therefore,the evaluation of their treatment patterns over time provides valuable insights about the clinical value of therapies and associated costs. AIMS: To assess the treatment patterns with the first anti-TNFα in IBD. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study. RESULTS: 310 IBD patients were analyzed along a 5-year follow-up period. 56.2% of Crohn's disease (CD) patients started with adalimumab (ADA), while 43.8% started with infliximab (IFX). 12.9% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients initiated with ADA, while 87.1% initiated with IFX. Treatment intensification was required in 28.9% of CD and 37.1% of UC patients. Median time to treatment intensification was shorter in UC than in CD (5.3 vs. 14.3 months; p = 0.028). Treatment discontinuation due to reasons other than remission were observed in 40.7% of CD and 40.5% of UC patients, although, in UC patients there was a trend to lower discontinuation rates with IFX (36.6%) than with ADA (66.7%). Loss of response accounted for approximately one-third of discontinuations, in both CD and UC. CONCLUSIONS: Around one-third of IBD biologic-naive patients treated with an anti-TNFα required treatment intensification (earlier in UC) and around 40% discontinued the anti-TNFα due to inappropriate disease control.

Long-term durability of response to adalimumab in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Adalimumab is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease (CD), but may also be associated with loss of response. Few reports provide insight into the durability of treatment of CD with adalimumab for periods longer than 12 months in clinical practice. AIMS: To evaluate the long-term durability of adalimumab maintenance treatment and to identify predictive factors associated with loss of response. METHODS: CD patients who initially responded to adalimumab were evaluated in a historical cohort study. Maintenance of long-term response was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictive factors for loss of efficacy. RESULTS: In all, 380 CD patients were included (mean age, 38 years; 52% female). Of these, 43% had ileocolic CD, 50% inflammatory CD, and 41% perianal CD. Median follow-up with adalimumab was 8 months (range, 4-75 months). The annual risk of loss of response to adalimumab was 18% per patient-year of follow-up. Twenty-eight percent of patients were anti-TNF-naïve and 72% anti-TNF-experienced. The loss of efficacy was 8% per patient-year of follow-up in the anti-TNF-naïve patients and 22% in the anti-TNF-experienced group (P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.9) and previous experience with other anti-TNF agents (HR = 2.5,95% CI = 1.2-5.3) were associated with higher risk of loss of efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: A relevant proportion of CD patients on long-term adalimumab lost response. The risk of loss of response was higher (more than 2-fold) in anti-TNF-experienced than in anti-TNF-naïve patients (22% vs. 8% per patient-year of treatment). Having extraintestinal manifestations seems to increase the risk of loss of efficacy.

Reduced liver injury in the interleukin-6 knockout mice by chronic carbon tetrachloride administration.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 has been involved in restoration of liver function after partial hepatectomy and toxic liver injury. However, normal liver regeneration in interleukin-6 knockout mice has also been reported. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of interleukin-6 deficiency on liver injury and its regeneration in a model of long term carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. DESIGN: Serum and whole livers from wild type and interleukin-6 knockout mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (0.25 mL kg(-1)) twice a week were obtained after 4, 6 and 8 weeks (n = 4-6). Sections were assessed for liver regeneration, liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis whereas sera were assayed for aminotransferase levels. Nuclear extracts and total liver lysates were assayed for transcription factor activation and apoptosis related proteins, respectively. RESULTS: When compared to wild type, interleukin-6 knockout mice showed reduced liver damage scores, lower aminotransferase levels and diminished apoptosis, as well as reduced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Although the level of active protein was lower, activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 still takes place in knockout mice. Furthermore, liver regeneration measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation showed no differences between wild type and knockout animals after 6 and 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the wild type mice liver regeneration after chronic treatment with carbon tetrachloride proceeds at a slower rate in interleukin-6 deficient mice. However, this low recovery rate is accompanied by a reduction not only in hepatocyte apoptosis, but also in activation of nuclear factor kappa B and liver injury.

[Gastrointestinal inflammatory fibroid polyps. Clinical characteristics and follow-up in a series of 26 patients]. / Pólipo fibroide inflamatorio gastrointestinal. Características clínicas y seguimiento de una serie de 26 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is a protuberant lesion, located near the muscularis mucosae and composed of a proliferation of fusiform cells and conjunctive fibers surrounding capillaries and a variable inflammatory infiltrate. It is believed to be a poorly controlled inflammatory repair response. Our aim was to study the clinical, pathological and follow-up characteristics of a series of patients with IFP. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We studied 26 IFPs from 25 patients (16 women and 9 men) registered between 1985 and 2001 in a specific register of 3 centers in the city of Gerona (Spain). The variables analyzed were age, sex and clinical presentation, IFP localization and size, mucosal characteristics and associated disease, as well as follow-up information. Routine statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: IFPs were antral in 16 patients, ileal in 7, jejunal in 2 and colonic in the remaining patient. Size determined whether they were symptomatic (35 +/- 13.6 mm) or asymptomatic (8.4 +/- 6.3 mm). Gastric polyps were significantly smaller than intestinal polyps. Symptomatic polyps (5 out of 16 gastric polyps and 9 out of 10 intestinal polyps) predominated in women and occurred at a significantly lower age than asymptomatic polyps (59.2 versus 74.1 years). Most gastric IFPs were associated with chronic atrophic gastritis while only one ileal polyp was associated with Meckels diverticulum. The mean length of follow-up was 60.6 months and, except in one patient who underwent incomplete resection, no recurrences of IFP were observed. CONCLUSION: IFP is a heterogeneous entity, depending on age at presentation, sex, size and location in the digestive tract. IFP does not recur after resection. The association of gastric IFP and chronic atrophic gastritis could suggest a modulatory effect of the mucosa on IFP growth.

Modified AdCTLA-4 vector blocks alloimmune response in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Gene transfer of the costimulatory blockade molecule CTLA-4Ig into cold-preserved rat liver allografts results in indefinite allograft survival. Despite local delivery, this mode of immunomodulation is associated with systemic immunosuppression. In an effort to restrict immunosuppression to the graft, we have constructed a novel adenoviral vector, AdCTLA-4ex-TAG, in which the Ig sequence of CTLA-4Ig DNA has been deleted to destabilize the gene product to promote rapid extrahepatic degradation while maintaining its immunosuppressive activity within the graft milieu. METHODS: (1) Vector construction. CTLA-4 extracellular binding domain (CTLA-4ex) was prepared by PCR-based cloning methods and fused in frame to a genetic element encoding an epitope TAG allowing identification of the transgene product CTLA-4exTAG. CTLA-4exTAG was subcloned into a shuttle vector enabling isolation of AdCTLA-4exTAG. (2) In vitro transfection: AdCTLA-4exTAG was transfected into MH(1)C(1) cells and then supernatant was recovered for Western blot analysis. (3) In vitro alloimmune response was characterized by CFSE proliferation assay. (4) Extrahepatic effect of AdCTLA-4exTAG was characterized by the ability to control tumor growth after implantation of a regressive, immune sensitive cancer cell line (REGb) in the skin of BDIX rats after liver transduction with AdCTLA-4exTAG. RESULTS: Expression and secretion of the recombinant protein were documented by Western blot after infection of the MH(1)C(1) cell line() with AdCTLA-4exTAG. Addition of infected MH(1)C(1) cell supernatant resulted in abrogation of alloimmune response as shown by markedly diminished division of CD4(+) T cells in a CFSE proliferation assay. Extrahepatic tumor regressed normally after liver transduction with AdCTLA-4exTAG. CONCLUSIONS: These results show efficient in vitro expression of CTLA-4exTAG after transfection with AdCTLA-4exTAG. The modified protein retains its ability to abrogate in vitro alloimmune response. Efficient control of extrahepatic tumor growth after liver-directed delivery of AdCTLA-4exTAG suggests that the immunosuppressive effect of this vector is restricted to the liver. These results set the ground for the utilization of this novel adenoviral vector in the transplant setting.

Activation of interleukin-6/STAT3 and liver regeneration following transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Every liver that is procured, stored, and transplanted experiences injury from cold ischemia and reperfusion. Most recover quickly, but some grafts sustain enough injury to result in prolonged organ dysfunction or require retransplantation. The molecular mechanisms involved in early graft function and recovery following cold ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) after liver transplantation have not been well defined. Interleukin (IL)-6 is a critical factor in the mitogenic response within the liver, and is important for cell cycle progression and protection from injury. Activation of the latent transcription factor, STAT3, is dependent on IL-6 release. The role of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway and hepatocellular regeneration in graft recovery and cell cycle progression following cold ischemia and reperfusion was studied in a rat liver transplant orthotopic (OLT) model. Methods. Rat OLT was performed in a syngeneic model. The presence, time course, and magnitude of expression of IL-6, STAT3 activation, and upregulation of target immediate early genes were determined in liver grafts with minimal (<1 h) and prolonged (12 h) cold preservation times followed by transplantation. Progression of the cell cycle and replication was confirmed by BrdU uptake. RESULTS: Prolonged cold ischemia resulted in increased IL-6 expression and STAT3 activation. This correlated with upregulation of junB, c-fos, c-myc, and c-jun, immediate early genes associated with hepatic regeneration. Extensive DNA replication was present in livers with 12-h ischemia, demonstrating successful completion of the cell cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The participation of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway leading to cell cycle progression and regeneration is an important component in the recovery of organs immediately following cold preservation and transplantation.

Serological markers and HLA-DQ2 haplotype among first-degree relatives of celiac patients. Catalonian Coeliac Disease Study Group.

Serologic markers, HLA-DQ2 haplotype, and clinical features suggestive of celiac disease were studied to assess their diagnostic value in a multicentric study to detect celiac disease in 675 first-degree relatives of 227 celiac probands. Serum IgA-class anti-endomysium and IgA-class anti-gliadin antibodies were positive in 5.8% and 1.9% of relatives, respectively. HLA-DQ2 haplotype was present in 64% of relatives, and the overall rate of celiac disease diagnosed by intestinal biopsy was 5.5%. The frequency of HLA-DQ2 in the celiac patients and controls was 93% and 18%, respectively. The most frequent clinical features--diarrhea, anemia, food intolerance, and growth retardation--were not present in one third of the celiac disease relatives. We conclude that the assessment of IgA-class anti-endomysium antibodies alone seems a reasonable approach for screening celiac disease in relatives and cannot be replaced by an accurate clinical anamnesis. HLA-DQ2 haplotype may identify the population with a high genetic susceptibility to celiac disease.

Effect of intravenous albumin on renal impairment and mortality in patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, renal function frequently becomes impaired. This impairment is probably related to a reduction in effective arterial blood volume and is associated with a high mortality rate. We conducted a study to determine whether plasma volume expansion with intravenous albumin prevents renal impairment and reduces mortality in these patients. METHODS: We randomly assigned 126 patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis to treatment with intravenous cefotaxime (63 patients) or cefotaxime and intravenous albumin (63 patients). Cefotaxime was given daily in dosages that varied according to the serum creatinine level, and albumin was given at a dose of 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight at the time of diagnosis, followed by 1 g per kilogram on day 3. Renal impairment was defined as nonreversible deterioration of renal function during hospitalization. RESULTS: The infection resolved in 59 patients in the cefotaxime group (94 percent) and 62 in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (98 percent) (P=0.36). Renal impairment developed in 21 patients in the cefotaxime group (33 percent) and 6 in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (10 percent) (P=0.002). Eighteen patients (29 percent) in the cefotaxime group died in the hospital, as compared with 6 (10 percent) in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (P=0.01); at three months, the mortality rates were 41 percent (a total of 26 deaths) and 22 percent (a total of 14 deaths), respectively (P=0.03). Patients treated with cefotaxime had higher levels of plasma renin activity than those treated with cefotaxime and albumin; patients with renal impairment had the highest values. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, treatment with intravenous albumin in addition to an antibiotic reduces the incidence of renal impairment and death in comparison with treatment with an antibiotic alone.