title: A new oral delivery system for 5-ASA: preliminary clinical findings for MMx.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multi-matrix (MMx), a new delivery system for mesalazine, seems to release 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA) preferentially in the sigmoid colon. This study had 2 objectives: (1) to evaluate the therapeutic response to MMx in patients with active left-sided disease and (2) to gain additional insights as to how the therapy would compare with topical 5-ASA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received either 1.2 g of 5-ASA MMx three times per day plus placebo enema or 4 g of 5-ASA enema plus placebo tablets for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was clinical remission (clinical activity index < or =4) at 8 weeks. Secondary endpoints were endoscopic and histologic remissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-nine patients were enrolled. Clinical remission rates at 4 and 8 weeks were 57.5% and 60.0% for patients treated with MMx and 68.4% and 50.0% for patients randomized to 5-ASA enemas, respectively (95% confidence interval for the difference at 8 weeks, -12 to +32). Endoscopic remission was achieved by 45.0% of patients on 5-ASA MMx and by 36.8% of those on enema, whereas 15.0% and 8% of patients, respectively, showed histologic remission. Compliance was 97.0% for oral and 87.5% for topical therapy. In the enema group, compliance was 88.0% for the patients in remission and 65.5% for those with active disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary studies suggest that similar rates for induction of remission can be expected from 5-ASA enemas and MMx for patients with left-sided ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy. prantera@tin.it
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prantera
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viscido
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biancone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Francavilla
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giglio
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campieri
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019804:Mesalamine