Actualizacion en el tratamiento de la colitis ulcerosa

Abstract

Several clinical trials on new therapies in ulcerative colitis were presented in Digestive Disease Week 2010, mostly with negative results. Thus, rituximab (anti CD 20) and MDX-1100 (a chemokine inhibitor) failed to show efficacy, although higher doses of both agents will probably be tested in the future. A probiotic able to synthesize and release interleukin-10 into the gut lumen also failed to prove useful. In contrast, HMPL-004, an extract from a herb used in Oriental medicine, was reported to have positive results in mild-to-moderate colitis. In addition to these data on new therapies, some other results segurion current therapies were also presented. The results communicated on salicylates once again emphasized the importance of compliance to achieve efficacy and the advantages of single-dose regimens in achieving this goal. The data reported on the protective role of salicylates against colon cancer were contradictory. Observational studies of biological agents supported the efficacy of infliximab and controlled preliminary data suggested the utility of adalimumab. Both Spanish observational studies and a poster presenting a blind, controlled trial showed the efficacy of leukocyte apheresis in maintaining remission in steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis. Finally, retrospective and observational Spanish data on beclomethasone supported the usefulness of this drug.