Factors affecting clinical and endoscopic efficacies of selective leucocytapheresis for ulcerative colitis.
BACKGROUND
Granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis is a novel treatment for active ulcerative colitis. However, as yet no study has reported on a subset of patients who might respond well to granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To identify factors affecting clinical and endoscopic efficacies of granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage in patients with ulcerative colitis.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive patients with active ulcerative colitis initially received five granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis sessions with the Adacolumn over five consecutive weeks. Patients who improved without achieving remission received five additional granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis sessions.


RESULTS
One week after the last granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis session, 26 (52%) and 17 patients (34%) achieved clinical and endoscopic remission, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the dose of prednisolone administered at entry and the cumulative dose of prednisolone administered before entry were independent significant factors for both clinical and endoscopic remission, negatively impacted the efficacy of granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis. Age, gender, duration of ulcerative colitis, number of prior relapses, duration of current exacerbation, extent and severity of ulcerative colitis, extra-intestinal manifestations, entry haematology values and C-reactive protein did not affect the outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the outcomes of this study, it appears that steroid-naïve patients and patients on low dose steroid and short duration of exposure respond to granulocyte, monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis. Further studies in larger cohorts of patients should strengthen our findings.
Yamamoto
T
T
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Yokkaichi Social Insurance Hospital, 10-8 Hazuyamacho, Yokkaichi, Mie 510-0016, Japan. nao-taka@sannet.ne.jp
Saniabadi
A R
AR
Maruyama
Y
Y
Umegae
S
S
Matsumoto
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008264:Macrophages; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone