I Rodríguez-Lago, D Ginard, R J Díaz Molina, M Vicuña, E Domenech, M Abanades, O Moralejo Lozano, G Bastida, A D Sánchez Capilla, E Iglesias, F Rancel-Medina, M D M Blasco, M Bosca-Watts, M Calvo Iñiguez, C Herrera deGuisé, E Leo, A Viejo Almanzor, V Hernández Ramirez, C Suárez Ferrer, L Quilez Pérez, M Muñoz, F Fernández Pérez, J M Huguet, P Fradejas, C López Ramos, A M Fuentes Coronel, C Reygosa Castro, N Rull Murillo, P Zapico, J L Cabriada
Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 18, Issue Supplement_1, January 2024, Page i1011, doi.org=10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad212.0641

Background
The clinical efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) with Adacolumn in patients (pts) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported in several clinical trials (CT), with significant clinical remission rates. However, evidence on real-world effectiveness of GMA with Adacolumn in ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) patients who were underrepresented in CT is still limited.

Methods
GRACE is a multicentric, prospective observational study conducted at 31 centres in Spain. The study included adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with UC or CD who had been scheduled to receive GMA with Adacolumn in clinical practice. The study consisted of a baseline (GMA initiation) and 3 follow-up visits at 4, 24, and 48 weeks after the last GMA session. The primary endpoint is the steroid-free remission rate at 24 weeks. This interim analysis is focused on clinical characterization of patients and their management and outcome 4 weeks after GMA treatment.

Results
A total of 95 evaluable patients were included at data cut-off date (25 Sept 2023) (median age: 54 years; 50% men: 81% outpatients). Overall, 89.4% (n=84) of patients had UC, being moderate-to-severe in 85.5%; 57,8% had pancolitis, and the median Mayo score was 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 3-6). Out of the 10 patients (10.6%) with CD, all had B1, and 3 patients had L1, 4 L2 and 3 L3. Overall, 17% had extraintestinal manifestations. Regarding IBD-related therapy, 52.6% of patients had previously received anti-TNF agents, 37.9% thiopurines, and 17.8% JAK inhibitors. Overall, 85.3% of patients received concomitant treatment with GMA, most commonly 5-ASA (60%), corticosteroids (51,6%), ustekinumab (20%), vedolizumab (17.9%), and anti-TNF therapy (11.6%). A total of 71 patients reached the 4-week visit after receiving a median of 10 (IQR, 8-10) GMA sessions (weekly: 26.3%, biweekly: 36.8%, and weekly/biweekly: 31.6%). At week 4, clinical remission was achieved by 50.7% of patients (UC: 49.2%; CD: 66.7%), being 50% and 53.3% in patients concomitantly treated with ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Steroid-free remission rate was 26.1% (UC: 22.2%; CD: 66.7%) at week 4. Overall, 11,2% of patients experienced AEs related to GMA, most of them being mild (73%) or moderate (22.4%). Most common AEs were headache and asthenia. No SAEs were observed.

Conclusion
Preliminary data at 4 weeks show that Adacolumn is a safe and effective treatment in a cohort of IBD refractory patients with previous failure to multiple therapies including thiopurines, biologics and JAK inhibitors. Half of patients were concomitantly treated with biologics, and their clinical remission rate was similar to the overall population. Long-term results of this study (48 weeks) are required to confirm these findings.

F Kenta, S Kensuke, T Shun, W Ryosuke, N Yusuke, Y Ren, S Kentaro, S Itsuki, O Hisashi, M Takuto
Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 18, Issue Supplement_1, January 2024, Page i1807, doi.org=10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad212.1126

Background
Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorption Apheresis (GMA) is one of the valuable non-immunosuppressive therapies in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, due to the limited number of facilities where GMA can be performed, there are few reports on the combined effects of GMA and prednisolone (PSL), the frequency of GMA implementation or predictive factors for the effectiveness. In this study, we examined the combined effect of GMA and PSL as a remission induction therapy, the frequency of GMA and predictive factors.

Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted at Kushiro Rosai Hospital. We analyzed clinical data from UC patients who underwent GMA from February 2015 to May 2023.

Results
The study included 54 patients (30 males and 24 females), with a median age of 48 years and a median disease duration of 2 years. The median Lichtiger-CAI (L-CAI) was 8. There were 43 patients of pancolitis. There were 51 biologics-naïve patients and 3 biologics-experienced patients. Concomitant medications included 5-ASA agents in 21 patients, immunomodulators in 7 patients, and PSL in 31 patients. The median CRP was 1.19 mg/dl and the median albumin was 3.5 g/dl. Adverse events were observed in 3 patients (fatigue, dizziness, palpitations). The median number of GMA sessions was 10, with 33 patients undergoing twice weekly and 9 patients three times weekly. The clinical remission rate was 80% (43/54), and the clinical response rate was 89% (48/54), with a significant improvement in the median L-CAI from 8 to 3 before and after GMA (P<0.001). In the comparison between the PSL concomitant group and the non-PSL group, the clinical remission rate was 83.9% (26/31) in PSL group and 73.9% (17/23) in non-PSLgroup (P=0.369). The clinical response rate was significantly higher in the PSL group (87% (27/31)) than in non-PSL group (52.2% (12/23)) (P=0.004). There was no significant difference in the clinical remission/response rate between the group that underwent GMA twice a week (76.9% (30/39)/84.6% (33/39)) and three times a week (77.8% (7/9)/77.8% (7/9)). In univariate analysis, biologics-naïve was extracted as a contributing factor to clinical remission. The cumulative remission rate at 52 weeks was 72% overall. There was no significant difference in the cumulative remission rate between the PSL group (76.8%) and the non-PSL group (67.6%) (P=0.524). There was also no significant difference between the twice-weekly group (75%) and the three-times-weekly group (57.1%) (P=0.236). Conclusion GMA for UC was found to be useful and safely performed as a remission induction therapy. Concomitant use of PSL increased the clinical response rate. The frequency of GMA showed that three times per week was as effective as two times per week.

I Rodríguez-Lago, C Herrera-deGuise, M Boscá-Watts, C Rodríguez, E Leo, M Calvo, F Cañete, S Chacón, C Cuarán, A Elorza, E Guerra, E Iglesias, D Sánchez, M Barreiro-de Acosta, D Ginard, J L Cabriada Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 18, Issue Supplement_1, January 2024, Page i1135, doi.org=10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad212.0712

Background
Granulocyte–monocyte apheresis (GMA) selectively removes activated leukocytes and immune mediators, and it has shown to be safe and effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Previous reports have also described its combination with biologics, mainly with anti-TNF.

Methods
The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combining GMA after primary non-response (PNR) or loss of response (LOR) to ustekinumab (UST) in patients with UC. A retrospective, multicentric study was performed in 12 IBD Units, including all patients with refractory UC who received combined GMA plus UST. The number of GMA sessions, its frequency, filtered blood volume and time of each session were compiled, along with the clinical data. Efficacy was assessed 1 and 6 months after finishing the GMA by partial Mayo score, CRP and faecal calprotectin. Data regarding UST intensification, need for new immunomodulators/biologics and surgery were also compiled. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used in the statistical analysis.

Results
Nineteen patients were included (15 UC, 2 Crohn’s disease, 2 unclassified IBD; median age 48 years (IQR, 36-63); 68% male). At baseline, 78% were receiving steroids and 23% immunomodulators. Most patients (89%) had prior exposure to anti-TNF agents and 53% to vedolizumab. Baseline Mayo score was 6.5 (IQR, 5-7), with a median CRP of 9 mg/L (IQR, 4.8-20.8) and faecal calprotectin 1,612 mg/kg (IQR, 873-4,152). GMA was started mostly after PNR in 83%, the median number of GMA sessions was 16 (IQR, 11-27) and 50% of patients started maintenance GMA. Partial Mayo score significantly decreased 6 months after the last GMA session (p=0.019). During follow-up, 27% started a new biologic therapy and 13% required surgery. 64% of patients under steroids at baseline were able to stop them. Adverse events were reported in 5% of patients.

Conclusion
GMA can safely recapture the response to UST in refractory patients after PNR or LOR to this drug.

Iago Rodríguez-Lago 1, Fiorella Cañete 2, Elena Guerra-Del-Río 3, Claudia Herrera-deGuise 4, Eva Iglesias 5, Eduardo Leo 6, Yamile Zabana 7, Manuel Barreiro-de Acosta 8, Daniel Ginard 9, José Luis Cabriada 10
Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Jan 23:S0210-5705(24)00022-0. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.01.004. Online ahead of print.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Objective: Granulocyte-monocyte apheresis (GMA) has shown to be safe and effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC), also in combination with biologics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining GMA after primary non-response (PNR) or loss of response (LOR) to tofacitinib (TOFA) in patients with UC.

Patients and methods: Retrospective study including all patients with refractory UC who received GMA plus TOFA. Efficacy was assessed 1 and 6 months after finishing GMA by partial Mayo score, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC). Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used in the statistical analysis.

Results: Twelve patients were included (median 46 years [IQR, 37-58]; 67% female; 67% E3). Patients were mostly receiving TOFA 10mg bid (75%), and 33% also concomitant steroids at baseline. Median partial Mayo score at baseline was 7 (IQR, 5-7), and it decreased to a median of 2 (IQR, 0-3) and 0 (IQR, 0-3) after 1 and 6 months (p=0.027 and 0.020, respectively), while no differences were found in CRP and FC. Clinical remission was achieved by 6 patients both at 1 (50%) and 6 months (67%). CF values<250mg/kg were achieved by 2 and 4 patients at 1 and 6 months (data available in 5 and 7 patients, respectively). No patient required dose-escalation of TOFA, and one patient was able to de-escalate the drug. No patient required colectomy and all patients under steroids were able to stop them. Conclusion: The combination of GMA and TOFA can be effective in selected cases of UC after PNR or LOR to this drug

Cristina Suárez Ferrer 1, Eduardo Martin-Arranz 2, María Dolores Martín-Arranz, Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024 Jan 12:S0210-5705(24)00018-9. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.01.002. Online ahead of print.
Aim: Granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) is a potential therapeutic option when combined with various drugs for treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we analyze the efficacy and safety of GMA combined with vedolizumab (VDZ) during induction in patients with moderate-severe UC and incomplete response to steroids.

Patients and methods: Single-center retrospective review of patients receiving GMA+VDZ. Data on the disease and previous treatments were collected. Clinical response was classified as no response, response without remission, and remission. Available data on biochemical and endoscopic response were included. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results: The study population comprised 6 patients with UC who had received GMA+VDZ during induction after failure of an anti-TNF agent. The median number of GMA sessions was 5 (IQR 4-5; 3-10). All the patients received VDZ 300mg iv at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, and 5 (83%) received an additional dose at week 10. During maintenance, all the patients continued VDZ iv every 8 weeks. The median follow-up was 57.6 months (IQR: 39-74). Four of the 6 patients achieved clinical remission after GMA+VDZ and continued in deep remission until the end of follow-up. A median, non-significant decrease of 1378μg/g (IQR: 924-5778μg/g) was observed for calprotectin and 42.2mg/l (IQR: 15.3-113.5) for CRP vs. baseline. No patient underwent colectomy. No treatment-related AEs were observed.

Conclusions: GMA+VDZ during induction can be effective and safe in selected patients with moderate-severe UC and partial response to steroids.

Ayumi Ito ¹, Shun Murasugi ¹, Maria Yonezawa ¹, Teppei Omori ¹, Shinichi Nakamura ¹, Katsutoshi Tokushige ¹

J Clin Apher. 2023 Nov 21. doi: 10.1002/jca.22099.

Background and aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis has a poor prognosis and can be accompanied by ulcerative colitis. Infection control is essential, so immunosuppressive drugs should ideally be preferably. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis does not suppress the immune system and is used to treat ulcerative colitis. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy and safety of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis who visited our hospital from April 2000 to December 2022 and underwent granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (n = 10, number of treatment cycles = 15). Study endpoints were remission induction rate and safety, assessed as changes in liver functions and adverse events.

Results: Seven of the 10 patients were male. The median (min-max) age was 23 (18-77) years. The most common disease type was right-dominant pancolitis. Remission occurred after 86.6% of cycles (13/15). Serum alkaline phosphatase and Aspartate transaminase were significantly lower after treatment (P = .0124, P = .002), and no negative effects on liver function were seen. The only adverse events were headache (n = 1) and decreased blood pressure (n = 1).

Conclusions: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis has high efficacy for intestinal lesions and improves alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase levels (high levels are a poor prognosis factor). It appears to be a treatment option in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with ulcerative colitis.

A retrospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis – PubMed (nih.gov)

A retrospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis – Ito – Journal of Clinical Apheresis – Wiley Online Library

Shun Murasugi, Maria Yonezawa, Teppei Omori, Shinichi Nakamura, Katsutoshi Tokushige . J Clin Apher. 2024; 39(1):e22099. doi:10.1002/jca.22099

Background and Aims
Primary sclerosing cholangitis has a poor prognosis and can be accompanied by ulcerative colitis. Infection control is essential, so immunosuppressive drugs should ideally be preferably. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis does not suppress the immune system and is used to treat ulcerative colitis. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy and safety of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis.

Methods
We retrospectively evaluated data from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with ulcerative colitis who visited our hospital from April 2000 to December 2022 and underwent granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (n = 10, number of treatment cycles = 15). Study endpoints were remission induction rate and safety, assessed as changes in liver functions and adverse events.

Results
Seven of the 10 patients were male. The median (min-max) age was 23 (18-77) years. The most common disease type was right-dominant pancolitis. Remission occurred after 86.6% of cycles (13/15). Serum alkaline phosphatase and Aspartate transaminase were significantly lower after treatment (P = .0124, P = .002), and no negative effects on liver function were seen. The only adverse events were headache (n = 1) and decreased blood pressure (n = 1).

Conclusions
Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis has high efficacy for intestinal lesions and improves alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase levels (high levels are a poor prognosis factor). It appears to be a treatment option in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with ulcerative colitis.

Tomotaka Tanaka

Cureus 2023 Nov 16;15(11):e48913. doi: 10.7759/cureus.48913. eCollection 2023 Nov.

The major phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), which cause debilitating symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and fever. Patients require life-long immunosuppressive medications, which cause adverse side effects as additional morbidity factors. However, IBD is initiated and perpetuated by inflammatory cytokines, and given that in patients with IBD myeloid lineage leukocytes are elevated with activation behavior and release inflammatory cytokines, selective depletion of elevated granulocytes and monocytes by granulomonocytapheresis is a relevant therapeutic option for IBD patients. Therefore, a column filled with specially designed beads as granulomonocytapheresis carriers for selective adsorption of myeloid lineage leukocytes (Adacolumn) has been applied to treat patients with active IBD. Patients receive up to 10 granulomonocytapheresis sessions at one or two sessions per week. During each session, the carriers adsorb up to 60% of the myeloid leukocytes from the blood that passes through the granulomonocytapheresis column. Efficacy rates in the UC setting have been as high as 85% in steroid-naïve patients, and 100% in drug-naïve, first-episode cases, but patients with a long duration of active IBD and extensive colonic lesions that have become refractory to pharmacological treatment have not responded well. However, granulomonocytapheresis has a favorable safety profile. Given that immunosuppressive medications used to treat IBD potentially may increase the risk of severe viral infection, non-drug granulomonocytapheresis should be a favorable treatment strategy. Further, by targeting granulomonocytapheresis to patients with background features and identifying a patient as a likely responder, futile use of medical resources is avoided.

Therapeutic Granulomonocytapheresis as a Non-pharmacologic Treatment Option for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Efficacy Reports on a Wide Age Range and Disease Profile – PubMed (nih.gov)

Therapeutic Granulomonocytapheresis as a Non-pharmacologic Treatment Option for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Efficacy Reports on a Wide Age Range and Disease Profile – PMC (nih.gov)

Muhammad Hassan Shakir 1 2, Salman A Basit 1, Syed Muhammad Hussain Zaidi 1, Sarasija Natarajan 1, Omar Z Syed 1, Mohammad Asim Amjad 1, Douglas Klamp, Cureus. 2023 Nov 6;15(11):e48399. doi: 10.7759/cureus.48399. eCollection 2023

Sweet syndrome (SS) is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. Although perceived to be rare, the disease may well have been underreported due to lack of exposure in low-volume clinical settings and due to the use of rather strict clinical criteria for diagnosis. It presents as cutaneous papules, plaques, or nodules in an asymmetric distribution that follows fever and flu-like symptoms. Data on the disease is ever-expanding. Several associations have been identified, including drugs, infections, malignancies, and autoimmune diseases. Different disease patterns and histological variants have been identified. Pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial but appears to involve mechanisms that negatively influence neutrophil apoptosis and facilitate neutrophil recruitment. The existing diagnostic criteria exclude cases with vasculitis; over time, cases of neutrophilic dermatoses with vasculitis have been reported as SS as long as other criteria were met. Newer diagnostic models have been proposed, some arguing against the exclusion of vasculitis. Steroids continue to be the mainstay of treatment, and steroid responsiveness continues to be a part of the diagnostic criteria, although newer treatment modalities have been used and have shown promise. No established guidelines exist for management. We present a case of Idiopathic SS with vasculitis along with a brief review of the existing literature. We agree to the inclusion of vasculitis as proposed by the newer diagnostic criteria.

Mauro Mastronardi, Elisabetta Cavalcanti, Nunzia Labarile, Raffaele Armentano, Francesco Gabriele, Margherita Curlo, Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease. 2023;14. doi:10.1177/20406223231194190

Extraintestinal manifestations occur rather frequently in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease patients and are usually related to an exacerbation of the underlying intestinal bowel disease but sometimes may run a course independent of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). About one-third of patients with IBD develop extraintestinal manifestations, such as pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). PG is an uncommon inflammatory skin disorder of unknown pathogenesis. There are no specific serological or histological markers, and diagnosis is predominantly clinical. Topical and systemic therapies are both vital aspects of treatment and immune modulators have been used with increasing success in recent years, although immunosuppressive drugs raise some concerns due to an increased risk of serious and opportunistic infections and cancer, particularly in elderly and comorbid patients, underlining the unmet need for safer alternative therapies. Thus, in this case report, we highlighted an adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) as a new therapeutic possibility in IBD patients with extraintestinal manifestations. We report a case of a 60-year woman with a history of UC with a Mayo grade 3 score which was associated with a PG. Given that the patients maintained clinical remission with vedolizumab, we preferred not to perform a combined treatment with other antitumor necrosis factor-alpha or ciclosporin, thus avoiding an increased risk of serious infections in the patient. Therefore, we performed the extracorporeal leukocyte apheresis. The patient progressed favorably, with progressive improvement of skin and bowel disease. Therefore, adsorptive GMA has a very favorable safety profile and has been confirmed in numerous studies. In this study, we underlined that an intensive regimen of GMA paves the way to an ideal option for patients with severe and refractory PG complicated with UC.