Effectiveness of concomitant immunosuppressive therapy in suppressing the formation of antibodies to infliximab in Crohn's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Episodic infliximab (IFX) treatment is associated with the formation of antibodies to IFX (ATIs) in the majority of patients, which can lead to infusion reactions and a shorter duration of response. Concomitant use of immunosuppressives (IS) reduces the risk of ATI formation.

Aims and methods

To investigate which of the IS-that is, methotrexate (MTX) or azathioprine (AZA)-is most effective at reducing the risk of ATI formation, a multicentre cohort of 174 patients with Crohn's disease, treated with IFX in an on-demand schedule, was prospectively studied. Three groups were studied: no IS (n = 59), concomitant MTX (n = 50) and concomitant AZA (n = 65). ATI and IFX concentrations were measured in a blinded manner at Prometheus Laboratories before and 4 weeks after ea

SUBMITTER: Vermeire S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1954977 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature