| Theme | The Newest Strategies for Severe Ulcerative Colitis | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Leukocytapheresis -- A Unique Approach for Poorly Controlled Patients of Ulcerative Colitis | |
| Publish Date | 2001/09 | |
| Author | Ken Fukunaga | The Division of Gastroenterology, Hyogo College of Medicine |
| Author | Koji Sawada | The Division of Gastroenterology, Hyogo College of Medicine |
| Author | Masamichi Satomi | The Division of Gastroenterology, Hyogo College of Medicine |
| Author | Takashi Shimoyama | The Division of Gastroenterology, Hyogo College of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | This paper reviews extracorporeal leukocyte removal and adsorption therapy, which is a new approach for poorly controlled ulcerative colitis (UC) patients revealing strong resistance to current medications, including adrenocortical hormones. In April 2000, monocyte-granulocytapheresis (M-GCAP) was approved by the Japanese government as an insurable intensive therapy for UC patients. Since then, a total 23 UC patients (males 10/females 13) were treated with M-GCAP, and the effective ratio was 56.5%. Safety and simplicity of technique are the advantages of such extracorporeal therapy. We believe that M-GCAP may become a new standard therapy for UC patients, not only as an intensive, but also a maintenance therapy. | |