Theme |
Role of AZA/6-MP in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Title |
Role of AZA/6-MP in Inducing Remission of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Author |
Shuji Kochi |
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
Author |
Yukihiko Jo |
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
Author |
Takayuki Matsumoto |
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
Author |
Mitsuo Iida |
Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University |
[ Summary ] |
While azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) have been used mainly for the maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), they have also been applied to the induction of remission in certain clinical trials. This is especially the case for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are dependent on or refractory to steroids. Clinical data on this topic have been accumulated and reviewed in this article. Based on those results, it has been suggested that patients with chronically active disease, who are not having acute flare, are likely candidates for thioprines. |