Leukocytapheresis therapy for severe ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

Severe attacks of ulcerative colitis are medical emergencies, and surgical treatment is indicated when glucocorticoid therapy is not effective. We have carried out an open clinical study of patients with severe attacks of ulcerative colitis to find out whether leukocytapheresis (LCAP) therapy can improve their outcomes. Nine patients were enrolled in this study. Seven of the nine patients had failed to respond to an intensive intravenous regimen before LCAP. LCAP was performed once a week for 4-5 weeks as intensive therapy using a leukocyte apheresis filter. Six of the 9 patients had an overall improvement after intensive therapy. Three patients reached the remission stage. The percentages of HLA-DR+, HLA-DR+ CD3+, HLA-DR+ CD4+, and HLA-DR+ CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood were higher in the responders than in the nonresponders, but there were no significant differences. In conclusion, LCAP therapy is useful for patients with severe attacks of ulcerative colitis, even those patients who failed to respond to glucocorticoid therapy.