A pilot study comparing hydrocortisone premedication to concomitant azathioprine treatment in preventing loss of response to infliximab.
OBJECTIVE
Antibodies to infliximab may lead to loss of response to infliximab (IFX) in Crohn's disease. Azathioprine (AZA) coadministration prevents the formation, whereas hydrocortisone (HC) premedication reduces the levels of antibodies to IFX. This pilot study aims at assessing the efficacy of these strategies to prevent loss of response to IFX.


METHODS
Eligible patients had active steroid-dependent luminal Crohn's disease and received IFX (5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6 for induction and then scheduled q8 week for remission maintenance). Patients were stratified in a 1 : 1 ratio to oral AZA (2-2.5 mg/kg/day, stratum A) or HC premedication (250 mg intravenously, stratum B). Stratum A included only patients naive to AZA; stratum B included both AZA naive and intolerant patients. Steroids were tapered within 6-8 weeks. Patients were followed up with monthly clinical assessments, laboratory tests, Crohn's Disease Activity Index calculations, adverse-events check up, and adherence to treatment.


RESULTS
Overall, 23 patients received IFX/HC and 23 IFX/AZA. There were no differences at baseline in any patient-related or disease-related parameters. Seventeen (74%) patients on IFX/AZA completed the study; six patients were withdrawn for primary nonresponse (one patient), lost response to IFX (two patients), or AZA-related adverse events. Eighteen (78%) patients on IFX/HC completed the study; five patients were withdrawn for primary nonresponse (one patient), loss of response (two patients), or infusion reactions to IFX. No significant differences emerged between strata in clinical remission rates or lost response to IFX.


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective 2-year pilot study has not confirmed superiority of any available strategy to maintain the efficacy of IFX.
First Department of Gastroenterology, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. gman195@yahoo.gr
Gerassimos J
GJ
Mantzaris
Nikolaos
N
Viazis
Kalliopi
K
Petraki
Konstantinos
K
Papamichael
Ioannis
I
Theodoropoulos
Anastassios
A
Roussos
Christos
C
Karakoidas
Stavroula
S
Koilakou
Nikolaos
N
Raptis
Alexandros
A
Smyrnidis
George
G
Agalos
Dimitrios G
DG
Karamanolis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011292:Premedication / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab; D001379:Azathioprine; D006854:Hydrocortisone