Immunology of inflammatory bowel disease: summary of the proceedings of the Subcommittee on Immunosuppressive Use in IBD.
As outlined, scanty data exist with regard to immunologic therapy in children with IBD despite the fact that the pediatric population affords a unique opportunity for clinical evaluation. Children are less affected by modifying conditions such as smoking, alcohol ingestion, and the long-term use of medications, and because of their specific needs for ponderal and linear growth, children might benefit most from immunological therapy that has been proven to be steroid sparing. Therefore, clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of 6-MP and/or azathioprine in growing children with Crohn's disease would appear to provide a fruitful avenue for collaborative research. Efforts to organize a multicenter evaluation of these agents have been initiated. The studies are crucial in evaluating the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive therapy in the pediatric population with IBD.
Markowitz
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY 11030.
Daum
F
F
Cohen
S A
SA
Glassman
M
M
Holmes
R D
RD
Piccoli
D
D
Rossi
T M
TM
Treem
W R
WR
Ulshen
M H
MH
Winter
H S
HS
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019804:Mesalamine; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013256:Steroids
D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D013256:Steroids; D008795:Metronidazole; D019804:Mesalamine; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D008727:Methotrexate