title: Leukocytapheresis in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is a nonpharmacologic therapy that has recently been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). This multicenter open-label study prospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of LCAP in pediatric patients with UC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients ages 8 to 16 years with moderate (n = 19) to severe (n = 4) steroid-resistant UC were enrolled. One of 2 LCAP columns with different volumes (model EX and the half-volume model EI) was selected, according to body weight. LCAP was performed once per week for 5 consecutive weeks. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at predetermined time points. The primary endpoint was decreased stool frequency/hematochezia score, and secondary endpoints were clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic improvements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stool frequency/hematochezia score decreased significantly from 4.5 ± 1.2 before treatment to 1.6 ± 1.9 after the fifth treatment. Clinical parameters, including stool frequency, presence of visible blood, abdominal pain, and body temperature, were significantly improved. Fecal calprotectin decreased significantly. Endoscopic findings evaluated using Matts score also improved (P < 0.01). The steroid dose decreased from 1.1 ± 0.4 mg/kg before treatment to 0.8 ± 0.5 mg/kg after treatment. There were no significant differences in changes between the EX and EI columns. The incidence of adverse effects was 61%, although none was serious. The most common adverse effects were decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed that LCAP was well tolerated in children with UC, mostly moderate, and was as effective as in adults. The types of pediatric patients best suited to LCAP remain to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan. tomomasa@gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomomasa
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tajiri
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kagimoto
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoden
authors.forename: Kosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ushijima
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Daiki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abukawa
authors.forename: Mutsuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.forename: Shun-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maisawa
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kohsaka
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D011239:Prednisolone