May
01
2008

Early Use of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Early Crohn’s Patients

So far the strategy of treating patients, who were newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, was the use of corticosteroids to control abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. The conventional mode of treatment consisted of a “step-up” treatment: after corticosteroids the use of immunosuppressants and finally antibody treatment would follow to curb the inflammatory response. International data which were published in the Lancet (February 23 issue) points to a safer and more effective treatment protocol. It consists of a “top-down” approach rather than of the conventional “step-up” approach. Patients receive immunosuppression early in the form of azathioprine and also the antibody infliximab, known as Remicade. Another study examined patients who were on maintenance therapy with adalimumab (Humira). They experienced sustained improvements in the symptoms that are associated with Crohn’s disease. After 4 weeks of induction therapy with the medication patients with mild and severe depression had improved to such an extent that they returned to the normal range. They were also assessed regarding fatigue and after treatment they showed a significant improvement in their daily functioning. The two treatment protocols were compared in a trial involving 129 patients with Crohn’s disease who had no previous treatment. At the end of the trial the researcher found that 65% of the group that had received the “top-down” treatment was symptom free after 26 weeks of treatment. Contrary to this only 36% of the “step-up” patients went into remission during the same time.

Early Use of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Early Crohn's Patient

Crohn’s before and after immunosuppressive drugs

When the patients were examined after 1 year, 62% of the “top-down” group was still symptom free, but only 42% of the “step-up” group had no symptoms. Dr. Brian Feagan of the University of Western Ontario coordinated this trial involving international sites in Belgium, Holland and Germany. He points out that the newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease patient that has the worst prognostic signs will benefit from this form of treatment. The top-down modality also is safer, as it protects the patient from high exposure to steroids. Similar results were demonstrated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of these trials and Dr. Feagan’s research suggest that the top-down treatment option could also give the best chance to patients with other chronic autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

More information about Crohn’s disease: http://nethealthbook.com/digestive-system-and-gastrointestinal-disorders/crohns-disease-crohns-disease/

Reference: The Medical Post, March 4, 2008, page 2; April 1, 2008, page 17

Last edited November 3, 2014

Jan
01
2006

Combination Of Drugs Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis

Several treatment options have become available to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, but side effects can be a problem. Corticosteroids are still needed, and methotrexate has been added. While anti-tumor-necrosis factor therapy (TNF alpha antibody) is a very beneficial form of treatment, there are patients who fail to respond or have toxicity to these therapy forms.
Dr. Stanley Cohen, a clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas investigated 520 patients who had not adequately responded to methotrexate and anti-TNF therapy. The patients received the genetically engineered monoclonal antibody, rituximab (Rituxan), which so far has been used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was found to be highly effective for active rheumatoid arthritis when given with methorexate in patients who experienced an inadequate response to anti-TNF therapies.
The patients were randomly selected and received either a single dose of 1000mg rituximab or placebo on days one and fifteen. All patients received a corticosteroid prior to the infusion. They also took a short course of oral corticosteroids between the two injections. For the patients on rituxmab, the medication proved beneficial. It was also well tolerated. Statistically 51% of the patients on rituximab had at least a 20% improvement on the swollen and painful joints and at least 20% improvement in 3 to 5 other criteria, like general well being, disability or laboratory tests of C-reactive protein.
Only 18% of the placebo group showed any improvement. It was also noted that the effects of this one-time treatment could last up to 15 months.
As good as the current medication is, there are treatment failures. Dr. David Karp, chief of Rheumatic diseases at the same university but not involved with this study finds the development very valuable.

Combination Of Drugs Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis

Combination Of Drugs Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis

He concludes that it becomes important in this area to personalize the treatment plan. The future is to look at the patients’ blood or gene makeup and prescribe specific therapies directed at their particular problem.

More information regarding treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: http://nethealthbook.com/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Reference: The Medical Post, December 20, 2005, page 33

Last edited October 30, 2014

May
01
2003

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

Dr. Loletta Kit-Ying So from the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hongkong reported on May 10, 2003 in the medical journal The Lancet (Lancet 2003;361:1615-1617) about their experience with early SARS treatment. Key to the success of this group is early recognition and early treatment of SARS. They found that high doses of corticosteroids to control the inflammatory reaction of the airways coupled with the antiviral antibiotic ribavirin has meant a breakthrough in the treatment of SARS. They have treated 50 patients with the new combination protocol.

Medication protocol:

Initially the patient is started on the fluoroquinolone antibiotic levofloxacine 500 mg once per day. This has an immunomodulating effect and keeps the virus at bay. Methylprednisolone at 1 mg per kg of body weight given three times per day is the corticosteroid used for 5 days, the gradually tapered to nothing over 16 days. The virus itself is treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin 400mg three times daily intravenously for three days or until the patient becomes stable, followed by tablets (1200mg twice per day) by mouth.

Outcome:

The good news with this protocol is that 70% of patients have left the hospital and are recovered; 27% are treated and are stable; three patients are mechanically ventilated (on a respirator), but stable. One patient who was an elderly diabetic patient has died of a heart attack.

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

There are no major side-effects of the treatment protocol. Some modifications are made with patients who have tuberculosis and with patients who are pregnant.

Here is an overview of SARS with links to the CDC.

Last edited October 26, 2014