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Article Granulocyte adsorptive apheresis for pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis. 2003
Tomomasa T, Kobayashi A, Kaneko H, Mika S, Maisawa S, Chino Y, Syou H, Yoden A, Fujino J, Tanikawa M, Yamashita T, Kimura S, Kanoh M, Sawada K, Morikawa A. · Department of Pediatrics, Gunma University Faculty of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan. · Dig Dis Sci. · Pubmed #12741466 No free full text.
Abstract: Granulocytapheresis (GCAP) has produced efficacy in adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) by adsorbing activated granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages. We retrospectively investigated efficacy and safety of GCAP in pediatric patients with active UC. Twelve steroid-refractory children (12.2 +/- 3.1 years old) were treated with GCAP, one session/week for 5-10 consecutive weeks. In 8 patients, clinical symptoms improved after two GCAP sessions. Normal body temperature, stool frequency, and disappearance of blood in stool were seen after 24.3 +/- 11.5 days. The endoscopic grade improved from 2.6 +/- 0.3 to 0.4 +/- 0.2. One patient who initially responded, developed bloody diarrhea later and 2 cases remained unchanged. The dose of steroid was tapered during GCAP therapy by 50%. No serious adverse effects were noted. Four of 8 cases relapsed 3.5 +/- 2.2 months after the last GCAP while on maintenance therapy, the other 4 were in remission up to 22.8 +/- 18.1 months. In conclusion, GCAP appears to be effective and well tolerated in children with steroid-refractory UC.
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