Tacrolimus induction followed by maintenance monotherapy is useful in selected patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis refractory to prior treatment.
Dig Liver Dis 2014;
46:875-80. [PMID:
25023007 DOI:
10.1016/j.dld.2014.06.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Tacrolimus in refractory ulcerative colitis often serves as a bridge to long-term maintenance therapy with thiopurines. Our aim was to review efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in active ulcerative colitis resistant to conventional therapies, including anti-tumour necrosis factor.
METHODS
Charts of consecutive outpatients with refractory ulcerative colitis, in whom tacrolimus was orally administered as a 12 week-induction (target trough levels 10-15ng/mL) followed by a maintenance therapy (target trough levels 5-10ng/mL), were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical remission and response at weeks 4, 12 and 52 as well as adverse events within 1-year therapy were reported.
RESULTS
Twelve (40%) and six (20%) of the 30 patients included (14 males, mean age 37.1±1.4 years) achieved a clinical remission and response, respectively, at week 12. Three responders to tacrolimus initiation experienced drug-related adverse events requiring discontinuation. Among the 18 remaining initial responders who tolerated tacrolimus, 8 (27%) were in clinical remission at week 52, whereas the remainder either experienced adverse events requiring drug withdrawal (n=4) or relapsed (n=6). Overall adverse events were recorded in 14 patients (46%), mainly finger tremor and urinary infections.
CONCLUSION
Oral monotherapy with tacrolimus may be a valuable long-term therapeutic option in selected patients with moderate-to-severe active refractory ulcerative colitis.
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