INTESTINE Vol.18 No.6(9)

Theme Intestinal Behçet's disease and simple ulcer of the intestine
Title The effects of anti-TNF-α antibodies on intestinal Behçet's disease
Publish Date 2014/11
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.
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