Exploratory Study of the Effectiveness of Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorptive Apheresis Before Initiation of Steroids in Patients With Active Ulcerative Colitis (EXPECT Study): A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Trial

Crohns Colitis 360. 2020 Sep 23;2(4):otaa073. doi: 10.1093/crocol/otaa073. eCollection 2020 Oct.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) has been used for therapy of steroid-dependent/refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of GMA in UC patients not receiving steroids.

METHODS: We conducted a single-arm, open-label, and multicenter prospective clinical trial. UC patients who had insufficient responses to 5-aminosalicylic acid received GMA twice a week for 5 weeks.

RESULTS: The response rate of all patients was 58.2% (39/67). Of the 39 patients who achieved a response, 74.4% achieved endoscopically confirmed mucosal healing.

CONCLUSIONS: GMA shows effectiveness in inducing remission in UC patients not receiving steroid.

PMID:34192247 | PMC:PMC7797742 | DOI:10.1093/crocol/otaa073