| Theme |
The Newest Strategies for Severe Ulcerative Colitis |
| Title |
Leukocytapheresis -- A Unique Approach for Poorly Controlled Patients of Ulcerative Colitis |
| 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. |