Local injection of Infliximab for the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease

Etiology of perianal Crohn's disease: role of genetic, microbiological, and immunological factors

Perianal fistulation is a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Fistulating perianal CD appears to represent a distinct phenotype of CD, separate from luminal fistulating disease, with differing disease behavior and which often requires different therapeutic strategies. The etiology of Crohn's perianal fistulae appears to have genetic, microbiological, and immunological components. Relationships with IBD5, which codes for the organic/cation transporter and IRGM, important in the autophagy pathway, have been identified but further genetic associations remain elusive. The partially efficacious use of antibiotics and fecal diversion imply a microbiological component and, similarly, the partial efficacy of immunosuppressants and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) treatments suggest not only that an immunological process is taking place, but also that microbiota alone cannot account for the pathogenesis. Recent work implicates failures in the tissue injury/repair process with myofibroblasts, matrix metalloproteinases, and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition being possible culprits. We examine these areas in a review of the current understanding of the etiology of Crohn's perianal fistulae.

Placebo therapy in Crohn's disease

The knowledge of the outcome among patients receiving placebo is important for evaluating the response to therapy, for evaluating the natural history of a disease and for calculating the sample size for future clinical trials. In Crohn's disease placebo has been used in therapeutic trials in every relevant setting: active disease, prevention of relapse after induced medical remission and after surgery and fistulising disease. The analysis of the placebo response shows that in every setting there is a high heterogeneity demonstrating mainly that the selection of patients is not often homogeneous and that the outcome criteria used in the trials is not highly reliable. Better selection of patients and more precise definition of outcome measures are warranted to reduce the heterogeneity among placebo response in clinical trials.

Emerging treatments for complex perianal fistula in Crohn’s disease

Complex perianal fistulas have a negative impact on the quality of life of sufferers and should be treated. Correct diagnosis, characterization and classification of the fistulas are essential to optimize treatment. Nevertheless, in the case of patients whose fistulas are associated with Crohn’s disease, complete closure is particularly difficult to achieve. Systemic medical treatments (antibiotics, thiopurines and other immunomodulatory agents, and, more recently, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents such as infliximab) have been tried with varying degrees of success. Combined medical (including infliximab) and less aggressive surgical therapy (drainage and seton placement) offer the best outcomes in complex Crohn’s fistulas while more aggressive surgical procedures such as fistulotomy or fistulectomy may increase the risk of incontinence. This review will focus on emerging novel treatments for perianal disease in Crohn’s patients. These include locally applied infliximab or tacrolimus, fistula plugs, instillation of fibrin glue and the use of adult expanded adipose-derived stem cell injection. More well-designed controlled studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of these emerging treatments.

Cytokine network in rectal mucosa in perianal Crohn's disease: relations with inflammatory parameters and need for surgery

BACKGROUND

Nowadays anti-TNF-alpha antibodies are used for the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease (CD). Nevertheless, this treatment is effective in only a part of these patients and recent studies suggested a role for other cytokines in chronic bowel inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the cytokine profile in the rectal mucosa of patients affected by perianal CD and to understand its relations with the systemic cytokine profile and inflammatory parameters and the need for surgery.

METHODS

Seventeen patients affected by perianal CD, 7 affected by CD without perianal involvement, and 17 healthy controls were enrolled and underwent blood sampling and endoscopy. During endoscopy rectal mucosal samples were taken and the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, IL-12, and TGF-beta1 was quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Local cytokine levels were compared and correlated with diagnosis, therapy, phenotype (fistulizing and stenosing), and disease activity parameters.

RESULTS

In the group with perianal CD, rectal mucosal IL-1 beta, IL-6, and serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha were higher than in patients with small bowel CD and healthy controls. IL-12 and TGF-beta1 mucosal levels did not show any differences among the 3 groups. Mucosal IL-6 significantly correlated with the Perianal Crohn's Disease Activity Index and mucosal TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Mucosal TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta showed a direct correlation with the histological grade of disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The cytokines network analysis in perianal CD shows the important involvement of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, mucosal levels of IL-6 and IL-12 are predictors of recurrence and of need for surgery in perianal CD patients.

Combined therapy with infliximab and seton drainage for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease with anal endosonographic monitoring: a single-centre experience

During infliximab treatment of perianal Crohn's disease (CD), the healing of the skin opening precedes fistula tract healing and this contributes to abscess formation and fistula recurrence. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of combined treatment with infliximab and setons for complex perianal fistulas in CD and to define the optimal time for seton removal by anal endosonography (AE). Nine consecutive patients with CD were studied. Perianal sepsis was eradicated when necessary and setons were placed before infliximab therapy. Setons were removed after AE evidence of fistulous tracts healing. Patients received a mean of 10+/-2.3 infliximab infusions. At week 6 all patients showed a reduction in mean CD activity index (p<0.005) and perianal disease activity index (p<0.0001). Complete fistula response was achieved in eight of nine patients. In six patients after a mean of 9.2 infusions, infliximab treatment was discontinued. Clinical and AE response persisted at 19.4+/-8.8 months (range 3-28 months) in five of these patients. One patient had fistula recurrence 20 weeks after infliximab discontinuation and responded rapidly to retreatment. At the time of this report, two patients were still on infliximab and in remission after a mean follow-up of 25+/-5 months. Combined therapy with infliximab and setons with AE monitoring of the response showed high efficacy in the management of patients with CD with complex perianal fistulas.

Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: a call to action

The advent of biological therapies has focused attention on the importance of healing luminal Crohn's disease, thereby modifying the disease course. Perianal fistulas are common in Crohn's disease and often have a poor prognosis, with permanent sphincter and perineal tissue destruction. The importance of healing these fistulas has been less well appreciated. Management still often is left in surgical hands alone, rather than the optimal combination of surgery, infection control, and immunosuppression. Drug therapy often is haphazard, and the means of assessing healing over a long time period has been characterized poorly. Recent studies have suggested that many of these patients can achieve fistula healing, at least in the medium term. We therefore call for more active intervention, with the goal of healing, in these sick patients. Perianal fistulas lead to substantial physical and emotional distress because of pain, discharge, incontinence, perineal and genital disfigurement, and slow resolution even with treatment. The advent of accurate anal imaging, improved knowledge of surgical outcomes, and potent biological therapies make it timely to reflect on current best-management strategies.

Perianal Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is commonly complicated by perianal manifestations. The surgeon plays a pivotal role in caring for these patients; a detailed history along with a thorough clinical exam provides the treating physician with invaluable information upon which to base further investigations and management decisions. Other than abscess drainage, medical management to control proximal disease often precedes any surgical attempt to cure the disease. Surgical interventions are indicated in selective patients, but are often complicated by poor wound healing and recurrences. A sizable percentage of these patients may need a proctectomy.

Surgical therapy of perianal Crohn's disease

The surgical management of perianal Crohn's disease is complex with a wide range of operations being described. The initial emergency treatment is to drain any source of underlying sepsis. A loose seton drainage or a defunctioning stoma can then be used as a 'bridge' to definitive treatment allowing both adequate assessment of the condition and preventing further sepsis. The likelihood of success of any surgical repair must be weighed against the risk of faecal incontinence. Improved results of a local surgical repair are seen with optimal surgical and medical management of perianal Crohn's disease.

Infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease

The recent introduction of infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has greatly modified the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Data from the literature show encouraging results after intravenous infusion both for closure of intestinal or perianal fistulas and for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe intestinal disease unresponsive to other treatments. However, some contraindications such as fibrostenosing CD and sepsis have been identified. In addition, the data on long-term outcomes and safety is still limited. Our initial experience showed that in selected cases local injection of infliximab is effective in the treatment of complex perianal disease offering the possibility of using such treatment even in small bowel obstructing disease with minimal systemic effects. This paper analyzes the state of the use of both intravenous and local injection of infliximab in patients with CD.

The patient with persistent perianal fistulae

The management of patients with persistent perianal fistulae depends on thorough evaluation by clinical history and examination, assessment of intestinal disease and assessment of perianal disease. The main therapeutic options are medical and surgical treatment and their appropriate integration is essential for the optimal management of the patients. Medical treatment includes antibiotics, azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine, infliximab and tacrolimus or cyclosporine. Surgical treatment includes fistulotomy, placement of setons, endorectal advancement flaps, fecal diversion and proctectomy. Fistula recurrence often occurs, possibly due to early discontinuation of medication or premature removal of setons. Using anorectal endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging to guide therapy, the healing rates of perianal fistula can be increased. In persistent complex perianal fistulae where medical treatment initially fails, examination under anaesthesia and placement of non-cutting setons, when necessary, combined with medical treatment results in higher healing rates.

Topical tacrolimus in the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease: exploratory randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in treating perianal Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Nineteen patients, stratified into 7 with ulcerating, and 12 with fistulizing, perianal Crohn's disease were randomized to topical tacrolimus 1 mg/g (1 g ointment twice a day [bid]) or placebo for 12 weeks. Sixteen patients had been on, or were currently taking, azathioprine/6-MP, and 6 had received infliximab. The primary outcome in ulcerating disease was global improvement in perianal/anal lesions, as assessed by the attending physician; for fistulas, it was reduction of > or =50% of actively draining fistulas on 2 consecutive visits. Blood tacrolimus levels and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

Three of 4 patients treated with topical tacrolimus for ulcerating disease improved compared with none of 3 in the placebo group. Complete healing was not achieved. In fistulizing disease, topical tacrolimus was not beneficial. Two tacrolimus-treated patients developed perianal abscesses, 1 after improvement in fistula drainage. Adverse events were otherwise infrequent and mild. Whole blood tacrolimus levels were detectable in only 2 patients and were low.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data suggest that topical tacrolimus is effective and safe in the treatment of perianal or anal ulcerating Crohn's disease. This therapy is unlikely to be beneficial in fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease, although a larger study is required to confirm this.

Treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease by local injection of antibody to TNF-alpha accounts for a favourable clinical response in selected cases: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Intravenously administered infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has been proven to be efficacious in the treatment of fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. It has recently been suggested that local injections of infliximab might be beneficial as well. The aim of this study was to assess whether infliximab could play an effective role in the local treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Local infliximab injections were administered to 11 patients suffering from Crohn's disease complicated by perianal disease. Eligible subjects included Crohn's disease patients with single or multiple draining fistulas, regardless of status of luminal disease at baseline. Patients, however, were excluded from the study if they had perianal or rectal complications, such as abscesses or proctitis or if they had previously been treated with infliximab. Twenty-milligram doses of infliximab were injected along the fistula tract and around both orifices at baseline and then every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks or until complete cessation of drainage. No further doses were administered to patients who did not respond after three injections. Efficacy was measured in terms of response (a reduction in fistula drainage of 50% or more) and remission (complete cessation of fistula drainage for at least 4 weeks). Time to loss of response and health-related quality of life were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 8/11 patients (72.7%) responded to the therapy and 4/11 (36.4%) reached remission, whereas 3/11 patients (27.2%) showed no response. Response or remission was very much dependent on the location of the fistulas, and time to loss of response was generally longer for patients who reached remission compared to patients in response. Changes in health-related quality of life, as assessed by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), also reflected response or remission, with more marked improvements associated with remission. After a mean 10.5 months' follow-up (range 7-18 months), 6/11 patients (54.5%) are in response and 4/11 patients (36.4%) are in remission. No adverse events have been observed in this cohort of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Local injections of infliximab along the fistula tract seem to be an effective and safe treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. However, further controlled clinical investigations are warranted.

Local injection of infliximab in the postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Local injection of infliximab in Crohn's disease (CD) lesions may reduce the risk of rare side effects, reduce the dose, and increase the efficacy of the drug. The objective was to prospectively assess the feasibility and the safety of local injection of infliximab for the postoperative recurrence of patients with CD who were followed for at least 1 year.

METHODS

In a pilot, open-label study, 8 patients with CD (3 men; median age 48 years, range 35-82 years) undergoing ileocolonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. Inclusion criteria included the following: (1) localized (<5 cm) recurrence, (2) inflammatory pattern, and (3) clinically inactive CD. At the first endoscopy, lesions were injected with infliximab (median, 30 mg; range, 8-60 mg); a control endoscopy was performed at 2 weeks in 4 patients (3 received a second injection followed by a control endoscopy at 6 weeks) and at 4 weeks in 4 patients (2 received a second injection followed by a control endoscopy at 8 weeks).

OBSERVATIONS

No patients showed side effects or clinical relapse in the short term and the long term (median follow-up, 20 months; range, 14-21 months). Endoscopic score improved in 3/8 patients. The histologic scores were reduced in 4 patients, worsened in 3, and were unchanged in one patient with CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Local injection of infliximab into patients with CD recurrence is feasible and safe, requiring a low dose. Present findings suggest the need of placebo-controlled trials to assess the efficacy of this new and safe procedure in subgroups of patients with CD.