| Theme |
Intestinal Behçet's disease and simple ulcer of the intestine |
| Title |
The effects of anti-TNF-α antibodies on intestinal Behçet's disease |
| Author |
Satoshi Tanida |
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine Sciences |
| Author |
Tsutomu Mizoshita |
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine Sciences |
| Author |
Hironobu Tsukamoto |
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine Sciences |
| Author |
Keiji Ozeki |
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine Sciences |
| Author |
Takashi Joh |
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine Sciences |
| [ Summary ] |
Pharmacologic management of intestinal Behçet's disease currently consists of use of TNF-α inhibitors such as infliximab and adalimumab in addition to conventional drugs including 5-ASA, corticosteroids and purine analogues. A prospective open-label, uncontrolled study of adalimumab in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease refractory to corticosteroids and purine analogues showed that at 24 weeks, 9/20 (45 %) patients achieved marked improvement. Complete remission was demonstrated in 4/20 (20 %) patients at 24 weeks. Other major symptoms of Behçet's disease (oral aphthous ulcers, erythema nodosum, and genital ulcers) resolved rapidly at 4 weeks. No severe adverse events were observed. These suggest that adalimumab is safe and effective for the treatment of intestinal Behçet's disease. Administration of TNF-α inhibitors in patients with intestinal Behçet's disease is one therapeutic option. |