title: Combination therapy of infliximab and thalidomide for refractory entero-Behcet's disease: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease with the histopathological features of leukocytoclastic vasculitis that affects nearly all organs and systems. When it involves the intestine, it is called entero-Behcet's disease (entero-BD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we described a 23-year-old man with entero-BD refractory to conventional therapies who responded well to the combination therapy of infliximab, an anti-tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF)-alpha antibody, and thalidomide. After combination treatment, the patient's symptoms improved greatly and his Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score decreased from 344 to 52 points, accompanied by a body weight increase from 53 kg to 64 kg. A follow-up endoscopy performed 10 weeks after the treatment showed significant improvement and the patient's multiple ulcers had healed well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination therapy of infliximab and thalidomide appears to be clinically effective in a patient with refractory entero-BD. However, further studies need to be performed to evaluate the efficacy of this combination therapy.
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Zelong
authors: Z
authors: Han
authors: Xianfei
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Zhihui
authors: Z
authors: Mo
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhang
authors: Aimin
authors: A
authors: Li
authors: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. liuside@163.com.
authors: Side
authors: S
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D004751:Enteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069285:Infliximab