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EO5-01 A case of pustular psoriasis deteriorated during the second pregnancy was successfully treated with intensive GMA and certolizumab pegol

Asumi Fujii, Yuki Hattori, Miho Kawamura, Yoko Mizutani, En Shu, Mariko Seishima

poster at ISFA 2019 pag 141-142

A 31-year-old woman with the IL36RN gene mutation developed psoriasis at 3 years old. As she had pustular psoriasis at 16 years old, she was treated with cyclosporine (Cys), resulting in remission at 20 years old. Afterwards, she had been maintained by topical treatment for long years.During the first pregnancy at the age of 29, she developed pustular psoriasis at 29 weeks
of gestation. She received one course of granulocyte / monocyte adsorption apheresis (GMA) with Cys and prednisolone (PSL), and gave birth to a girl at 33 weeks of gestation. The baby was a low birth weight child, but is healthy and has no problems in growth and development until now. However, the patient did not sufficiently improve symptoms after delivery. We thus started the treatment with infliximab (IFX) BS at 2 months postpartum. During the second pregnancy at the age of 30, we continued the IFX-BS administration. She had erythema and pustules rapidly enlarged from 23 weeks of pregnancy. Oral administration of PSL and GMA were started. However, we switched the therapy to intensive GMA (twice in a week), because the effect was insufficient. Initially, administration of IFX-BS was scheduled to end at 30 weeks of gestation, but due to unstable symptoms, we considered it was necessary to use another biologics even after 30 weeks of gestation. We switched to non-placental certolizumab pegol (CTZ) from 26 weeks of gestation and continued the administration until delivery, and she gave birth to a girl at 35 weeks of gestation. Although the baby was a low birth weight child, there was no physical abnormality and the baby was discharged after gaining weight. After delivery, administration of CTZ was discontinued and the PSL dose was gradually reduced. However,reintroduction of biologics is under consideration, because erythema and pustules still remain.

http://www.atalacia.com/isfa/data/abstract.pdf

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SY4-03 The efficacy of combination therapy of intensive GMA with biologics or a JAK inhibitor for refractory inflammatory bowel disease

Satoshi Tanida

poster at ISFA 2019 pag 56

Background and Aim: A monotherapy with intensive GMA, biologics or a JAK inhibitor are limited in patients with intractable Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). We retrospectively evaluated the 10- and 52-week efficacy and safety of combination therapy of intensive GMA with biologics or a JAK inhibitor for intractable UC or CD.
Method: A combination of intensive GMA (2 sessions a week, total 10 times) with tofacitinib (TOF) for active UC was performed and that of intensive GMA with ustekinumab (UST) for active CD was done. Results: Of 6 consecutive UC patients receiving a combination therapy of TOF (20 mg daily for 8 weeks as induction therapy and subsequently 10 mg daily) plus intensive GMA for moderately-to-severely active UC and loss of response to corticosteroids, azathioprine, and/ or biologic therapies, 67% (4 cases) displayed clinical remission according to Mayo score and 100% displayed mucosal healing at 10 weeks. A temporary increase in CPK were seen. Of 5 consecutive CD patients receiving a combination therapy of ustekinumab (every 8 weeks) plus intensive GMA for moderately-to-severely active CD and loss of response to corticosteroids, azathioprine, and/or biologic therapies, 75% displayed cumulative steroid-free clinical remission at 10 weeks and did such remission over 52 weeks under subsequent maintenance monotherapy of UST. The mean CDAI at baseline were 257. Its values at 10 and 52 weeks after the combination therapy with UST plus intensive GMA were 48 and 68, respectively. One case showed mucosal healing at 52 weeks according to SES-CD. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Combination therapy of intensive GMA with biologics or a JAK inhibitor appeared to be effective and safe for refractory UC or CD.

http://www.atalacia.com/isfa/data/abstract.pdf

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Changes in Treatment with Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorptive Apheresis from the Past to Future in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Shingo KatoAkira IshibashiKaori SugiuraKazuhito KaniTomonari OgawaHajime HasegawaKoji Yakabi, Contrib Nephrol 2018;196:200-208.

GMA decreases inflammatory cytokines and upregulates regulatory T cells. Intensive GMA is significantly more effective than weekly GMA in patients with IBD. The frequency of GMA sessions per week positively correlates with treatment effects. GMA can be safely used in pregnant women and children because of its low adverse event rates. Maintenance therapy and rescue therapy for loss of response of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibodies are effective. Optimal patients who responded to combination therapy with infliximab and GMA showed aggravation characteristics against infliximab treatment at week 4. Key Message: Prospective randomized blinded studies using a sham column should be performed for the loss of response against anti-TNF-α antibodies.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30041228/

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Adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis for the maintenance of remission in patients with ulcerative colitis: a prospective randomized, double blind, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Ken Fukunaga 1Yoko YokoyamaKoji KamokozuruKazuko NagaseShiro NakamuraHiroto MiwaTakayuki Matsumoto, Gut Liver. 2012 Oct;6(4):427-33.

Monthly GMA may potentially prevent UC relapse in patients who have achieved remission through weekly GMA, especially in patients on <20 mg/day PSL at the start of the maintenance therapy.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23170145/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3493721/pdf/gnl-6-427.pdf

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Intermittent granulocyte and monocyte apheresis versus mercaptopurine for maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis: a pilot study.

Atsushi Sakuraba 1Toshiro SatoYuichi MorohoshiKatsuyoshi MatsuokaSusumu OkamotoNagamu InoueHiromasa TakaishiHaruhiko OgataYasushi IwaoToshifumi Hibi,Ther Apher Dial. 2012 Jun;16(3):213-8.

The effect of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GMA) on prevention of relapse of ulcerative colitis (UC) is not clear. This was a pilot open-labeled, prospective, randomized, unblinded study to compare the tolerability and efficacy of intermittent GMA (once every 2 weeks) with mercaptopurine to maintain remission of UC. Twenty-one patients with UC, who had achieved remission by induction therapies were randomly assigned to receive either intermittent GMA (N = 10) or oral mercaptopurine (0.5 mg/kg per day; N = 11). The study period was 24 months. The rate of the patients maintaining remission and the incidences of adverse effects were compared between the two groups. At 24 months, seven of 10 patients (70.0%) on intermittent GMA and seven of 11 patients (63.6%, P = 1.00) on oral mercaptopurine were still in remission. Three patients relapsed in each group. One patient taking mercaptopurine, but none receiving intermittent GMA, dropped out because of adverse effects. Intermittent therapy with GMA was well tolerated and a substantial proportion of patients maintained remission. Intermittent GMA therapy in maintaining remission of UC merits further investigation.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22607563/

Scientific corner

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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Long-term follow-up with Granulocyte and Monocyte Apheresis re-treatment in patients with chronically active inflammatory bowel disease.

Annelie Lindberg 1Michael EberhardsonMats KarlssonPer Karlén, BMC Gastroenterol. 2010 Jul 6;10:73.

Background: Patients with IBD and chronic inflammation refractory to conventional therapy often demonstrate higher risk of serious complications. Combinations of immunosuppression and biological treatment as well as surgical intervention are often used in this patient group. Hence, there is need for additional treatment options. In this observational study, focused on re-treatment and long-term results, Granulocyte/Monocyte Adsorption (GMA, Adacolumn) treatment has been investigated to study efficacy, safety and quality of life in IBD-patients with chronic activity.

Methods: 15 patients with ulcerative colitis and 25 patients with Crohn’s disease, both groups with chronically active inflammation refractory to conventional medication were included in this observational study. The patients received 5-10 GMA sessions, and the clinical activity was assessed at baseline, after each completed course, and at week 10 and 20 by disease activity index, endoscopy and quality of life evaluation. Relapsed patients were re-treated by GMA in this follow-up study up to 58 months.

Results: Clinical response was seen in 85% and complete remission in 65% of the patients. 10 patients in the UC-group (66%) and 16 patients in the CD-group (64%) maintained clinical and endoscopic remission for an average of 14 months.14 patients who relapsed after showing initial remission were re-treated with GMA and 13 (93%) went into a second remission. Following further relapses, all of 7 patients were successfully re-treated for the third time, all of3 patients for the fourth time and 1 for a fifth time.

Conclusions: IBD-patients with chronic inflammation despite conventional therapy seem to benefit from GMA. Re-treatment of relapsing remission patients seems to be effective.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20604939/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914086/pdf/1471-230X-10-73.pdf

Scientific corner

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

Ken Fukunaga 1Yoko YokoyamaKoji KamikozuruKoji YoshidaRisa KikuyamaKazuko NagaseShiro NakamuraYoshiyuki TakeiHiroto MiwaTakayuki Matsumoto, J Clin Apher. 2010;25(4):226-8.

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/

Scientific corner

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

Javier Martin-Carpi Martín-CarpiVicente 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

Scientific corner

Granulocytapheresis in inflammatory bowel disease Efficacy of an induction plus maintenance sessions protocol at 32 weeks

F J Fernández Pérez 1F RodríguezC de SolaN Fernández MorenoF VeraR RiveraA Sánchez Cantos, Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2007 Nov;99(11):628-35.

Introduction: Granulocytapheresis (GCAP) eliminates activated granulocytes-monocytes from peripheral blood, thus modifying the circulating pool of leukocytes and reducing intestinal inflammation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of GCAP in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using an induction and maintenance protocol. Material and method: A retrospective study including patients with active corticosteroid-dependent or refractory IBD. Induction included 5 sessions in ulcerative colitis (UC) and 7 sessions in Crohn’s disease (CD); one monthly session was used thereafter until week 32. Clinical activity indices and use of corticosteroids were monitored. Results: Eighteen patients were included (10 with UC, 8 with CD), 10 of them dependent on and 8 refractory to corticosteroids. Fourteen of them were refractory and a further 4 were intolerant to immunosuppressants (IS). Induction was not completed in 2 UC (severe relapses) and 1 CD (side-effects) patients. One UC and 3 CD patients withdrew during maintenance. Among patients who completed induction, response or remission was achieved in 87.5% of UC cases (2 and 5 patients) and 71.4% of CD cases (1 and 4 patients), respectively. At week 32 response-remission rates reached 75% in CU (3 and 3 patients) and 42.8% in CD (1 and 2 patients) cases, respectively. Corticosteroid withdrawal was possible in 14.2% of CD and in 62.5% of UC patients (25% in remission and 37.5% with response). There were two major side effects (thrombophlebitis and syncope). No colectomies were performed for UC patients who completed GCAP induction after a mean follow-up of 97.6 weeks (range: 72-128). Conclusions: Both UC and CD respond well to GCAP induction. At 32 weeks UC patients maintain similar response-remission rates (87.5 vs. 75%), whereas almost one-third of CD patients lose response. Granulocytapheresis is an alternative, steroid-sparing treatment modality to induce and maintain remission in UC, while good patient selection and a maintenance protocol not well defined yet are needed for CD.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18271660/

)http://www.grupoaran.com/mrmUpdate/lecturaPDFfromXML.asp?IdArt=459857&TO=RVN&Eng=1

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