Improvement of Pyoderma gangrenosum and psoriasis associated with Crohn disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody.
BACKGROUND
Infliximab is an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody IgG effective in the treatment and maintenance of remission of active refractory Crohn disease and associated draining enterocutaneous fistulae. Multiple infusions of infliximab show promising results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, there is limited clinical experience with infliximab, and no published reports exist on its use in cutaneous disorders.


METHODS
We describe 2 patients with Crohn disease and pyoderma gangrenosum and 1 patient with Crohn disease and psoriasis who were treated with infliximab for recalcitrant Crohn fistulae, with concurrent improvement in their skin diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases suggest that infliximab, a promising therapeutic agent for refractory Crohn disease and fistulae, may also be effective in the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum and psoriasis associated with Crohn disease.
Tan
M H
MH
Department of Dermatology, Box 1047, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Gordon
M
M
Lebwohl
O
O
George
J
J
Lebwohl
M G
MG
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab