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Batu ED, Sener S, Cam V, Aktay Ayaz N, Ozen S. Treatment with Biologic Drugs in Pediatric Behçet's Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Published Data. BioDrugs 2023; 37:813-828. [PMID: 37382804 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Behçet's disease (BD) is a variable vessel vasculitis. Biologic drugs are increasingly used in the treatment of BD. We aimed to analyze biologic drug use in the treatment of pediatric BD. METHODS MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from the inception of these databases until 15 November 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only reports presenting data of pediatric patients with BD (BD diagnosis < 18 years of age) treated with biologic drugs were included. The demographic features, clinical characteristics, and data on treatment were extracted from the included papers. RESULTS We included 87 articles including 187 pediatric patients with BD treated with biologic drugs (215 biologic treatments). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors (176 treatments) were the most frequently used biologic drugs followed by interferons (21 treatments). Other reported biologic treatments were anti-interleukin-1 agents (n = 11), tocilizumab (n = 4), daclizumab (n = 2), and rituximab (n = 1). The most common indication for biologic drug use was ocular involvement (93 treatments) followed by multisystem active disease (29 treatments). Monoclonal TNF-α inhibitors, adalimumab and infliximab, were preferred over etanercept in ocular and gastrointestinal BD. The improvement rates with any TNF-α inhibitor, adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, and interferons were 78.5%, 86.1%, 63.4%, 87.5%, and 70%; respectively. The organ-specific improvement rate with TNF-α inhibitors was 76.7% and 70% for ocular and gastrointestinal system involvement. Adverse events have been reported for TNF-α inhibitors, interferons, and rituximab. Six of these were severe [TNF-α inhibitors (n = 4); interferons (n = 2)]. CONCLUSIONS The presented systematic literature search revealed that TNF-α inhibitors followed by interferons were the most frequently used biologic drugs in pediatric BD. Both group of biologic treatments appeared to be effective and have an acceptable safety profile in pediatric BD. However, controlled studies are required for analyzing indications for biologic treatments in pediatric BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Deniz Batu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe Üniversitesi İhsan Doğramacı Çocuk Hastanesi, Çocuk Romatoloji Bölümü, Kat: 3 Sıhhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Seher Sener
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe Üniversitesi İhsan Doğramacı Çocuk Hastanesi, Çocuk Romatoloji Bölümü, Kat: 3 Sıhhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Veysel Cam
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe Üniversitesi İhsan Doğramacı Çocuk Hastanesi, Çocuk Romatoloji Bölümü, Kat: 3 Sıhhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuray Aktay Ayaz
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seza Ozen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe Üniversitesi İhsan Doğramacı Çocuk Hastanesi, Çocuk Romatoloji Bölümü, Kat: 3 Sıhhiye, 06100, Ankara, Turkey
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Efthimiou P, Petryna O, Nakasato P, Kontzias A. New insights on multigenic autoinflammatory diseases. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2022; 14:1759720X221117880. [PMID: 36081748 PMCID: PMC9445512 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x221117880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoinflammatory diseases are disorders of the innate immune system, which can be either monogenic due to a specific genetic mutation or complex multigenic due to the involvement of multiple genes. The aim of this review is to explore and summarize the recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of genetically complex autoinflammatory diseases, such as Schnitzler's syndrome; adult-onset Still's disease; synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome/chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis/chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis; Adamantiades-Behçet's disease; Yao syndrome; and periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome. The PubMed database was screened for relevant articles using free text words and specific search strings. The search was limited to English-language articles, reporting the results of studies in humans, published through March 2021. Evidence from literature suggest that these rare multigenic autoinflammatory diseases can present with different clinical features and the diagnosis of these diseases can be challenging due to a combination of nonspecific manifestations that can be seen in a variety of other conditions. Diagnostic delays and disease complications may occur due to low disease awareness and the lack of pathognomonic markers. The pathogeneses of these diseases are complex and in some cases precise pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Conventional treatments are commonly used for the management of these conditions, but biologics have shown promising results. Biologics targeting proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A and IL-18 have been shown to ameliorate signs and symptoms of different multigenic autoinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Efthimiou
- New York Rheumatology Care, Ross University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Olga Petryna
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Apostolos Kontzias
- Department of Rheumatology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Mandarelli G, Iannone F, Ferracuti S, Grattagliano I, Benevento M, Solarino B, Ferorelli D, Catanesi R. Informed consent and biological agents in rheumatology and internal medicine. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13805. [PMID: 35488744 PMCID: PMC9539695 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need for highly effective therapies in rheumatologic diseases has led to the widespread and growing use of a heterogeneous class of molecules called biological agents. The increasing experience with biological agents has raised concerns about safety and efficacy issues that need to be discussed in the informed consent acquisition process. METHODS The authors performed a review of the literature on biological agents focusing on their most important characteristics concerning the informed consent procedures. RESULTS No studies specifically addressed the issue of informed consent in patients receiving biological agents. Several studies reported data about off-label use of biological agents usually with no obvious attention to informed consent shortcomings. CONCLUSION The reported association between biological agents and serious infections or malignancies, including reactivation of latent tuberculosis, needs specific disclosure in informed consent acquisition, together with information about the possible efficacy in clinical contexts often characterized by resistance to previous treatments. Ethical and clinical issues bound to the need for experimenting with new agents with potentially serious adverse effects deserve specific attention. Studies aimed at evaluating mental capacity to consent in subjects receiving biological agents are required.
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Hu YC, Chiang BL, Yang YH. Clinical Manifestations and Management of Pediatric Behçet's Disease. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2020; 61:171-180. [PMID: 32767171 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-020-08809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, vasculitic disorder affecting all sizes of vessels. The disease rarely onsets at childhood and an early diagnosis is often challenging. Oral ulceration and fever of unknown cause are common initial manifestations that might confuse other inflammatory disorders. The clinical manifestation pattern in pediatric BD is heterogeneous and varies in different genders, ethnicities, and geographic regions. There are also some differences in clinical presentations and prognosis between pediatric and adult BD. The disease also affects children at an extremely young age with mostly benign outcomes compared with that in older children. A limited number of studies reported issues about pediatric BD, let alone studies of children's treatments. Currently, the recommendation of the treatment in pediatric BD is according to the guideline of adult BD. The heterogeneity of clinical features makes the treatment more complicated. The main goal of the treatment is to control the inflammatory process and prevent recurrences. We will discourse the definition, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric BD in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chiao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Luen Chiang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Hsu Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Jingguo Road, Hsinchu City, Taiwan. .,Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Park Y, Cheon JH. Update on the Treatment of Behcet's Disease of the Small Bowel with Biologic Agents. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2020; 22:24. [PMID: 32193746 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-020-00759-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease (BD) is challenging, and one-third of patients require surgery due to failure of conventional therapies. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and other new biologics have been actively investigated for managing intestinal BD. In this article, we review the updated experiences and up-to-date clinical data on anti-TNF-α and other biologics for the management of intestinal BD. RECENT FINDINGS Recent prospective studies have proved the efficacy and safety of infliximab and adalimumab for treating intestinal BD. Recent studies with other biologics such as anti-interleukin (IL)-1 (anakinra and canakinumab) and anti-IL-6 (tocilizumab) have shown promising results in patients with systemic, including intestinal, BD. Both infliximab and adalimumab can be useful in managing patients with intestinal BD, especially severe or refractory cases, with a similar efficacy and safety profile. More evidence for anakinra, canakinumab, tocilizumab, anti-IL-17 (secukinumab), and anti-IL-12/23 (ustekinumab) in intestinal BD is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehyun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hee Cheon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea.
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Hu YC, Yang YH, Lin YT, Wang LC, Yu HH, Lee JH, Chiang BL. Clinical manifestations and anti-TNF alpha therapy of juvenile Behçet's disease in Taiwan. BMC Pediatr 2019; 19:232. [PMID: 31296171 PMCID: PMC6621989 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1613-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Behçet’s disease (BD) is a rare vasculitic disorder affecting all sizes of vessels. Among BD patients, 4 to 25% of patients with diagnosed age younger than 16 years old are defined as juvenile BD (JBD). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations and treatments of patients with JBD, with a particular focus on the effectiveness and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of all patients diagnosed with JBD at age of 16 years or younger in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data, treatments, disease courses, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The effectiveness of anti-TNF-alpha therapy was measured based on changes in Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) scores, prednisolone dosages and the immunosuppression load scores. Results Fifty-five patients were included in the study. The median age at disease onset was 11 years. The most common clinical presentation was recurrent oral aphthous ulcers (100%), followed by genital ulceration (69.1%), skin lesions (36.4%), gastrointestinal symptoms (29.1%), ocular involvement (27.3%), and arthralgia (27.3%). Ninety-one percent of the patients fulfilled the International Criteria for Behçet’s Disease, and 36.4% met the Paediatric Behçet’s Disease criteria. The most frequently used medications were prednisolone (74.5%) and colchicine (54.5%). Six patients with refractory or severe JBD received anti-TNF-alpha therapy. These patients were diagnosed at a younger age compared with those who did not receive anti-TNF-alpha therapy (7.5 vs 13 years; P = 0.012), the BDCAF scores reduced significantly at the 1st month, the 6th month and 1 year after the treatment. They did not use steroids after the first year of treatment, and, after treatment for 6 months, their immunosuppression load scores reduced significantly. Due to the limited case numbers, literature reviews of anti-TNF-alpha therapy for refractory JBD were conducted, which had a total 18 JBD patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha therapy, of which fifteen patients had favorable outcomes after treatment with minimal side effects. Conclusions Anti-TNF-alpha therapy may be necessary for JBD patients with refractory disease courses. Anti-TNF-alpha therapy was effective and safe in these patients, especially regarding its corticosteroid- and immunosuppressive drug-sparing effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chiao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Hsu Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Tsan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chieh Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hui Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Hong Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Luen Chiang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Changde Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Park J, Cheon JH. Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy in Intestinal Behçet's Disease. Gut Liver 2019; 12:623-632. [PMID: 29788675 PMCID: PMC6254627 DOI: 10.5009/gnl17462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal Behçet’s disease is a rare, immune-mediated chronic intestinal inflammatory disease; therefore, clinical trials to optimize the management and treatment of patients are scarce. Moreover, intestinal Behçet’s disease is difficult to treat and often requires surgery because of the failure of conventional medical treatment. Administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor–α, a potential therapeutic strategy, is currently under active clinical investigation, and evidence of its effectiveness for both intestinal Behçet’s disease and inflammatory bowel diseases has been accumulating. Here, we review updated data on current experiences and outcomes after the administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor–α for the treatment of intestinal Behçet’s disease. In addition to infliximab and adalimumab, which are the most commonly used agents, we describe agents such as golimumab, etanercept, and certolizumab pegol, which have recently been shown to be effective in refractory intestinal Behçet’s disease. This review also discusses safety issues associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor–α, including vulnerability to infections and malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hee Cheon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lopalco G, Rigante D, Venerito V, Fabiani C, Franceschini R, Barone M, Lapadula G, Galeazzi M, Frediani B, Iannone F, Cantarini L. Update on the Medical Management of Gastrointestinal Behçet's Disease. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:1460491. [PMID: 28210071 PMCID: PMC5292121 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1460491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology mainly defined by recurrent oral aphthosis, genital ulcers, and chronic relapsing bilateral uveitis, all of which represent the "stigmata" of disease. However, many other organs including the vascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems can be affected. The gastrointestinal involvement in Behçet's disease (GIBD), along with the neurological and vascular ones, represents the most feared clinical manifestation of BD and shares many symptoms with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Consequently, the differential diagnosis is often a daunting task, albeit the presence of typical endoscopic and pathologic findings may be a valuable aid to the exact diagnosis. To date, there are no standardized medical treatments for GIBD; therefore therapy should be tailored to the single patient and based on the severity of the clinical features and their complications. This work provides a digest of all current experience and evidence about pharmacological agents suggested by the medical literature as having a potential role for managing the dreadful features of GIBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lopalco
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Donato Rigante
- 2Institute of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Venerito
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- 3Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Franceschini
- 4Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery Department, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Barone
- 5Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lapadula
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Galeazzi
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
- *Luca Cantarini:
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Efficacy of Adalimumab in a Girl with Refractory Intestinal Behcet's Disease. Case Rep Rheumatol 2015; 2015:716138. [PMID: 26609459 PMCID: PMC4644826 DOI: 10.1155/2015/716138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe our experience with a juvenile patient who had refractory intestinal Behcet's disease that responded to adalimumab, a fully humanized antibody against soluble TNF-α and its receptor. The patient, a 13-year-old girl, presented with oral aphthous ulcers, vulvar pain, and rashes on the lower extremities. She gradually developed a low-grade fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hematochezia. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed ulcers in the terminal ileum, consistent with intestinal Behcet's disease. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was initiated, after which the symptoms transiently improved, but, during the corticosteroid taper, the abdominal pain recurred. The symptoms resolved soon after the administration of adalimumab. Of importance, the dose of corticosteroids was successfully reduced without exacerbation during 8 months of observation. This is the first reported case in which adalimumab was used for pediatric gastrointestinal Behcet's disease. Adalimumab is a good choice for intestinal Behcet's disease refractory to conventional treatment.
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Skef W, Hamilton MJ, Arayssi T. Gastrointestinal Behçet's disease: A review. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:3801-3812. [PMID: 25852265 PMCID: PMC4385527 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i13.3801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behçet’s disease (BD) is an idiopathic, chronic, relapsing, multi-systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcers, ocular disease and skin lesions. Prevalence of BD is highest in countries along the ancient silk road from the Mediterranean basin to East Asia. By comparison, the prevalence in North American and Northern European countries is low. Gastrointestinal manifestations of Behçet’s disease are of particular importance as they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although ileocecal involvement is most commonly described, BD may involve any segment of the intestinal tract as well as the various organs within the gastrointestinal system. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria - there are no pathognomonic laboratory tests. Methods for monitoring disease activity on therapy are available but imperfect. Evidence-based treatment strategies are lacking. Different classes of medications have been successfully used for the treatment of intestinal BD which include 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody therapy. Like inflammatory bowel disease, surgery is reserved for those who are resistant to medical therapy. A subset of patients have a poor disease course. Accurate methods to detect these patients and the optimal strategy for their treatment are not known at this time.
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