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Mode of Action of Apheresis for IBD: Recent Findings—GCAP: GMA (Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorptive Apheresis)

Nobuhito Kashiwagi

Japanese Journal of Apheresis 30(1): 39-47, 2011

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The Asia-Pacific consensus on ulcerative colitis

Choon Jin Ooi 1, Kwong Ming Fock, Govind K Makharia, Khean Lee Goh, Khoon Lin Ling, Ida Hilmi, Wee Chian Lim, Thia Kelvin, Peter R Gibson, Richard B Gearry, Qin Ouyang, Jose Sollano, Sathaporn Manatsathit, Rungsun Rerknimitr, Shu-Chen Wei, Wai Keung Leung, H Janaka de Silva, Rupert Wl Leong, Asia Pacific Association of Gastroenterology Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010 Mar;25(3):453-68. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2010.06241.x.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in many parts of the Asia-Pacific region. There is a need to improve the awareness of IBD and develop diagnostic and management recommendations relevant to the region. This evidence-based consensus focuses on the definition, epidemiology and management of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Asia. A multi-disciplinary group developed the consensus statements, reviewed the relevant literature, and voted on them anonymously using the Delphi method. The finalized statements were reviewed to determine the level of consensus, evidence quality and strength of recommendation. Infectious colitis must be excluded prior to diagnosing UC. Typical histology and macroscopic extent of the disease seen in the West is found in the Asia-Pacific region. Ulcerative colitis is increasing in many parts of Asia with gender distribution and age of diagnosis similar to the West. Extra-intestinal manifestations including primary sclerosing cholangitis are rarer than in the West. Clinical stratification of disease severity guides management. In Japan, leukocytapheresis is a treatment option. Access to biologic agents remains limited due to high cost and concern over opportunistic infections. The high endemic rates of hepatitis B virus infection require stringent screening before initiating immune-suppressive agents. Vaccination and prophylactic therapies should be initiated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with local practice. Colorectal cancer complicates chronic colitis. A recent increase in UC is reported in the Asia-Pacific region. These consensus statements aim to improve the recognition of UC and assist clinicians in its management with particular relevance to the region.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20370724/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2010.06241.x

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13 Apheresis therapy showed its high safety and adequate efficacy for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis – the postmarketing surveillance of more than 600 ulcerative colitis patients in Japan

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Selective depletion of peripheral granulocyte/monocyte enhances the efficacy of scheduled maintenance infliximab in Crohn’s disease

Ken Fukunaga,Yoko Yokoyama,Koji Kamikozuru,Koji Yoshida,Risa Kikuyama,Kazuko Nagase,Shiro Nakamura,Yoshiyuki Takei,Hiroto Miwa,Takayuki Matsumoto

J. Clin. Apheresis, 2010;25(4):226-8. doi: 10.1002/jca.20242.

Background: This is the first report on a case of Crohn’s disease (CD), who was successfully maintained with a combination of infliximab (IFX) and selective depletion of granulocytes/monocytes by adsorption (GMA). Case: A 33-year-old female with CD activity index (CDAI) 294.2 responded to iv IFX (5mg/kg) administered at weeks 0, 2, and 6 in combination with 3000 mg/day oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA; CDAI = 118). Then IFX at 8 week intervals was given as maintenance therapy. Two weeks before the 5th scheduled IFX, the patient worsened with an increase in stool frequency and a rise in CDAI. GMA was administered at weeks 5, 6, and 7 after her 6th iv IFX. Her CDAI decreased from 166.2 to 126.3 and 111.9 before 2nd and 3rd GMA sessions. She received her 7th iv IFX while the CDAI was 83.6. GMA course was repeated before 8th and 9th IFX. The patient remained in stable clinical and endoscopic remission without experiencing any serious side effect. After achieving mucosal healing, the patient decided to cease IFX therapy while continuing with GMA. Conclusions: IFX appears to induce and maintain remission of CD, but it may lose its efficacy after repeated administration. GMA is safe and by selectively depleting elevated/activated leukocytes may be a useful adjunct for IFX efficacy.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20544712/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jca.20242

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Leukocytapheresis in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

Takeshi Tomomasa 1, Hitoshi Tajiri, Seiichi Kagimoto, Toshiaki Shimizu, Atsushi Yoden, Kosuke Ushijima, Keiichi Uchida, Hiroaki Kaneko, Daiki Abukawa, Mutsuko Konno, Shun-ichi Maisawa, Takao Kohsaka, Akio Kobayashi, Japanese Study Group for Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Jul;53(1):34-9. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31821058bc.

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. Patients and 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.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21694533/

https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2011/07000/Leukocytapheresis_in_Pediatric_Patients_With.5.aspx

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An open-label prospective randomized multicenter study shows very rapid remission of ulcerative colitis by intensive granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis as compared with routine weekly treatment

Atsushi Sakuraba 1, Satoshi Motoya, Kenji Watanabe, Masakazu Nishishita, Kazunari Kanke, Toshiyuki Matsui, Yasuo Suzuki, Tadayuki Oshima, Reiko Kunisaki, Takayuki Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Hanai, Ken Fukunaga, Naoki Yoshimura, Toshimi Chiba, Shinsuke Funakoshi, Nobuo Aoyama, Akira Andoh, Hiroshi Nakase, Yohei Mizuta, Ryoichi Suzuki, Taiji Akamatsu, Masahiro Iizuka, Toshifumi Ashida, Toshifumi Hibi

Objectives: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) has shown efficacy in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). However, with routine weekly treatment, it may take several weeks to achieve remission, and to date, the efficacy of a more frequent treatment schedule remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of intensive GMA treatment in patients with active UC. Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, randomized multicenter study to compare an intensive, two GMA sessions per week, with the routine, one GMA session per week. A total of 163 patients with mild-to-moderately active UC were randomly assigned to routine weekly treatment or intensive treatment. The maximum number of sessions of GMA permitted was 10. However, when patients achieved remission, GMA was discontinued. Remission rate at the end of the study, time to remission, and adverse events were assessed in both groups. Results: Of the 163 patients, 149 were available for efficacy analysis as per protocol, 76 were in weekly GMA, and 73 were in intensive GMA. At the end of the study period, clinical remission was achieved in 41 of 76 patients (54.0%) in weekly GMA and in 52 of 73 patients (71.2%) in intensive GMA (P=0.029). The mean time to remission was 28.1+/-16.9 days in the weekly GMA treatment group and 14.9+/-9.5 days in the intensive GMA group (P<0.0001). Intensive GMA was well tolerated without GMA-related serious adverse side effects. Conclusions: Intensive GMA in patients with active UC seems to be more efficacious than weekly treatment, and significantly reduced the patients’ morbidity time without increasing the incidence of side effects.

)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19724269/

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Biological Effect of Anaphylatoxin C5a on the Generation of Anti-inflammatory Substances in Leukocyte Adsorption

Shoichi Nishise,Yuji Takeda,Yuko Nishise,Shoichiro Fujishima,Tomohiko Orii,Sayaka Otake,Takeshi Sato,Yu Sasaki,Hiroaki Takeda,Sumio Kawata

Biological Effect of Anaphylatoxin C5a on the Generation of Anti-inflammatory Substances in Leukocyte Adsorption. Therap. Apher. Dial. 2009 13(6), 509–514. doi:10.1111/j.1744-9987.2009.00779.x 

Anaphylatoxins, which are involved in both pro-inflammatory processes and a variety of anti-inflammatory effects, are produced during granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis. We noticed the anti-inflammatory effects of C5a, the strongest anaphylatoxin, in granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C5a on interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) generation in granulocyte and monocyte adsorption. Peripheral blood containing nafamostat mesilate as an endogenous complement activation inhibitor was divided into four groups: (1) no recombinant C5a added, no contact with cellulose acetate (CA) beads (control group); (2) no C5a added, contact with CA beads; (3) C5a added, no contact with CA beads; and (4) C5a added, contact with CA beads. After incubation, IL-1ra and HGF in plasma were measured. IL-1ra was significantly higher in group 3, in which only C5a was added in the absence of CA beads, compared to groups 2 (P < 0.01) and 4 (P < 0.05). HGF was significantly higher only in group 4, in which C5a was added in the presence of CA beads (P < 0.05), but did not increase in the absence of CA beads. C5a can directly induce IL-1ra generation without the granulocyte and monocyte adsorption stimuli to CA beads, but can synergistically induce HGF generation with the adsorption stimuli, indicating C5a has different effects on IL-1ra and HGF generation.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-9987.2009.00779.x

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Adsorptive Depletion of α4 Integrinhi- and CX3CR1hi-Expressing Proinflammatory Monocytes in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Shin-ichiro Takeda, Toru Sato, Tatsuro Katsuno, Tomoo Nakagawa, Yoshiko Noguchi, Osamu Yokosuka & Yasushi Saito

Dig Dis Sci 55, 1886–1895 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0974-2

Background:  Two main functionally distinct monocytes phenotypes are known: the CD14hiCD16− “classical” and the CD14+CD16+ “proinflammatory” phenotypes. The latter phenotype is elevated in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and is suspected to have a major role in the immunopathogenesis of UC. Aim: To selectively deplete circulating proinflammatory CD14+CD16+ monocyte phenotype. Methods: Seven corticosteroid-naïve patients with UC (clinical activity index = 8.7 ± 1.3) and seven healthy subjects were included. In patients with UC, granulocyte/monocyte adsorption (GMA) was done with an Adacolumn that selectively adsorbs leucocytes of the myeloid lineage. Blood from all subjects at baseline and from the patients immediately after the first GMA session was processed. Isolated monocytes were subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses. Results: The seven UC patients achieved remission (CAI ≤4) after 5–10 GMA sessions. GMA induced a strong fall in the ratio (%) of CD14+CD16+ to CD14hiCD16− monocytes, from 10.0 ± 1.4 to 3.0 ± 0.9. Further, expressions of α4 integrin (374.8 ± 26.1 mean fluorescence intensity, MFI) and CX3CR1 (49.5 ± 4.6 MFI) were significantly high on CD14+CD16+monocytes as compared with on CD14hiCD16− monocytes (169.2 ± 17.2 and 33.2 ± 3.6 MFI, respectively). Additionally, GMA significantly increased the ratio of the CD14hiCD16−CCR2low “immature” monocytes from 3.74 ± 0.62 to 8.11 ± 0.56 MFI. Conclusions: We found high expressions of α4 integrin and CX3CR1 on monocytes in patients with active UC, known to promote the extravasation of CD14+CD16+ monocytes into the mucosa. GMA effectively depletes CD14+CD16+ monocytes and concomitantly increases D14hiCD16−CCR2low “immature” monocytes; thus, GMA was associated with the emergence of less inflammatory monocyte phenotype in circulation.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10620-009-0974-2#citeas

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Emerging drugs for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Luca Pastorelli 1, Theresa T Pizarro, Fabio Cominelli, Maurizio Vecchi Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2009 Sep;14(3):505-21. doi: 10.1517/14728210903146882.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the colon for which the etiology is currently unknown. At present, strategies to treat UC are primarily targeted to control inflammation during active phases of disease as well as maintain remission during quiescence. As such, several unmet needs in the treatment of UC still remain. In recent years, basic research has led to the recognition of several key factors in the pathogenesis of UC, translating into the development of several novel therapeutic agents. Objective: The aim of this study is to review emerging therapies that may advance the treatment and improve the overall care of UC patients. Methods: An extensive literature search on published manuscripts and meeting proceedings has been performed to provide a comprehensive review of future drug therapies to treat UC. Results/conclusion: The translational application of new discoveries in the basic understanding of UC pathogenesis is continuing and critical for the development of novel treatment strategies. Design of novel biologic therapies to treat UC has the challenge of addressing potential safety issues, while more traditional drugs should be further developed to facilitate patient compliance to treat this chronic, debilitating disease.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19656075/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4563345/

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Clinical, endoscopic and histological remission in paediatric chronically active ulcerative colitis after prolonged treatment with selective granulocyte–monocyte adsorptive apheresis 

Javier Martin-Carpi Martín-Carpi, Vicente Varea Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 3, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 216–217, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2009.03.003

Treatment of paediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) unresponsive to conventional treatment constitutes a challenge. The finding of new secure, steroid-sparing and long acting treatments for these cases are mandatory. We report our experience with a long-term therapeutic strategy with Adacolumn in a chronically active paediatric UC patient (9 year-old boy) with the aim of achieving stabilization and ameliorating symptoms, permitting a successful switch to AZA monotherapy. These two aspects have been achieved without reappearance of rectal bleeding after oral mesalamine suppression. But the most interesting and promising finding is the confirmation of GMA apheresis effect on mucosal healing after prolonged treatment: maintenance treatment with Adacolumn has been effective in achieving a complete endoscopic and histological remission.

This case shows the utility of prolonged Adacolumn treatment in chronically active UC patients.

https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/article/3/3/216/384285

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