Interferon-beta-1a for the treatment of steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
; 3(6): 581-6, 2005 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15952100
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant interferon-beta-1a (rIFN-beta-1a) in outpatients with active steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis.METHODS:
Ninety-one randomized patients subcutaneously received 3 MIU rIFN-beta-1a (group A, n = 32), 1 MIU rIFN-beta-1a (group B, n = 30), or placebo (group C, n = 29) 3 times a week over a period of 8 weeks in addition to standard therapy. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment.RESULTS:
In all 3 groups, the median prestudy clinical activity index (CAI) was 10. In 18 of 32 patients (56%) in group A, in 11 of 30 patients (36%) in group B, and in 10 of 29 patients (34%) in group C, a reduction of the CAI of 6 points or greater (response) was achieved (differences were not statistically significant). Complete response (reduction of CAI to < or =4) was achieved in 56%, 30%, and 38% of patients in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Compared with baseline, the median endoscopic index had been reduced by 5, 3, and 4 points in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Steroid reduction was 12 mg in group A, 6 mg in group B, and 10 mg in group C. Identical side effects occurred in all 3 groups. Seven serious adverse events were reported (1 in group A and 6 in group C). All were unrelated to therapy as judged by the investigating physicians.CONCLUSIONS:
rIFN-beta-1a was safe but not significant, at the dosage and/or duration of treatment used, in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. Further studies are indicated.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Colitis, Ulcerative
/
Adjuvants, Immunologic
/
Interferon-beta
/
Glucocorticoids
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
Journal subject:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany