Infliximab in clinical routine : Experience with Crohn's disease and biomarkers of inflammation over 5 years

• Introduction: Infliximab was launched for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) in 1999. We set up a follow-up protocol to meticulously study disease development with repeated infusions of infliximab.  Aim: To follow the effects of infliximab treatment on disease activity, blood chemistry, quality of life, plasma nitrite, and titers of Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA). Methods: During 1999–2008, CD patients were monitored for disease activity by Harvey–Bradshaw index, blood chemistry with hemoglobin, albumin, C-reactive protein, platelet count, leukocyte count and creatinine, quality of life by the Short Health Scale, and plasma nitrite. During the first year of treatment, follow-up was done repeatedly before and 1 week after each infusion and thereafter every year before the last infusion for 5 years. ASCA was analyzed by flow cytometry with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled antibodies. Results: A total of 1061 infusions were given to 103 patients; 92 responders and 11 nonresponders. Responders were further monitored and Harvey–Bradshaw index decreased with infusions during the first year of treatment (P<0.0001), whereas hemoglobin (P<0.01) and albumin (P<0.001) increased, C-reactive protein (P<0.01) decreased, platelets (P<0.001) increased, and leukocytes (P<0.01) decreased. Creatinine was not affected. Short Health Scale (questions analyzed separately) decreased (P<0.0001), and nitrite (P<0.001) increased. During the next 4 years the improved values remained stable. Adverse effects were noted among 32% of the patients; local circulatory reactions being most common. No correlation between ASCA titers and inflammatory activity or infliximab treatment was found. Conclusion: Infliximab treatment is highly effective in responders and maintains symptomatic improvement and low inflammatory activity over years in CD patients.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Inflammatory bowel disease

IBD

Infliximab

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Medical Science

Medicinsk vetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)