tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218996202011-11-28T08:22:27.869+08:00Advances in the treatment of Crohn's DiseaseJamesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-92140174827942267782011-08-31T00:08:00.000+08:002011-08-31T00:08:51.417+08:00

An editorial in the latest New Scientist, Let them eat worms, calls for a relaxation of  regulations so that full-scale clinical trials into the use of parasitic worms called helminths can be undertaken. A story in issue 2824, Citizen scientists eat worms to treat disorders (subscription required) [titled "One sugar or two with your parasites?" in the print edition], further explains why

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-53600261109714934532010-09-26T18:15:00.000+08:002010-09-26T18:15:33.805+08:00

Research published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology shows the continuation of infliximab after surgery is effective and useful, even at a low dose. Patients were given infliximab for three years after surgery, and those with no symptoms then ceased the medication. 83% of those then showed clinical symptoms after a few months, and they were put back onto a low dose of infliximab. This

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-57487107363242412512010-03-09T22:11:00.001+08:002010-03-09T22:14:42.315+08:00

Two new studies have pointed to Vitamin D having a role in fighting Crohn's. Scientists believe that the boost to the immune system provided by Vitamin D could benefit Crohn's sufferers, and perhaps ensuring adequate Vitamin D levels could prevent Crohn's from occurring. As noted in Science Daily: Dr. White and his team found that Vitamin D acts directly on the beta defensin 2 gene, which

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-52106711376128665282010-01-05T15:14:00.004+08:002010-03-09T19:00:23.684+08:00

The BBC reports that research comparing the genes of thousands of people with or without ulcerative colitis has found four genes of interest. They affect the lining of the intestine, and in those with ulcerative colitis the lining may be letting excessive bacteria through. Researcher Dr Miles Parkes, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, said: "We have long

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-74244218868123441372009-12-27T13:45:00.004+08:002009-12-27T14:06:18.586+08:00

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a small study of children with severe colitis has found a genetic mutation that reduced the effectiveness of interleukin-10 in their immune systems. Researchers are now considering whether a subset of adult Crohn's cases have a similar cause. If so, then a more direct treatment could be found. One child in the study was completely cured by a bone

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-18872677699403351342009-11-30T23:39:00.005+08:002009-12-01T00:02:17.130+08:00

In the long-running debate over whether Crohn's is caused by over-active or under-active immune systems the New Scientist reports on research that tips it in favour of the under-active hypothesis. Segal and his colleagues got their first clue when they noticed a weaker immune response in people with Crohn's than in healthy people after both groups were injected with heat-killed Escherichia coli.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-16448452373003827192009-07-21T17:50:00.003+08:002009-07-21T18:04:31.846+08:00

Research from McGill University Health Centre has shown a link between a gene mutation present in 25% of Crohn's patients and a lack of immune response to mycobacteria. When this connection is fully understood it may lead to new therapies for Crohn's targeting the NOD2 gene involved.As explained by the lead researcher, Dr. Marcel Behr:"Now that we have a better understanding of the normal role of

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-10070704536921805902009-07-05T22:57:00.006+08:002009-07-05T23:07:10.186+08:00

UPI summarises a report in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition that states that 60% of children with Crohn's will enter remission if they take a special nutrient mixture. This is as effective as steroids, and much preferable to the side-effects of long-term steroid use. However, it's a big commitment for the children:Maintaining remission may require receiving 25 percent-50

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-54195413587719727462009-06-30T11:11:00.005+08:002009-06-30T11:28:30.891+08:00

The Guardian reports that initial results from the first ever controlled stem cell trial (blogged previously in 2007, before the trial started) are very encouraging, with the leader of the trial expressing an expectation that half of the subjects will be cured.Given the potentially fatal side-effects of the treatment it will only be an option for those most severely afflicted:The stem cell

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-6551096792930382142009-06-23T22:54:00.002+08:002009-06-23T23:06:32.657+08:00

In October last year I noted a report that Infliximab worked better than Azathioprine, and their combination worked better than Azathioprine alone. A new report in Forbes about a larger, lengthier study confirms the earlier report, and finds that the combination of drugs is significantly more effective than either alone.After 50 weeks, 72.2 percent of patients who'd received the infliximab/

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-80409659829449871212009-06-14T14:42:00.003+08:002009-06-14T15:00:32.547+08:00

Bearing in mind that "the plural of anecdote is not data", CBS has a report on a couple of Crohn's patients who attribute their reduced symptoms to self-administered hookworms. As it is not an approved therapy in the US it is quite an adventure to obtain.Aglietti, who calls himself a gastrointestinal ecologist, takes clients across the border where he gives them a band aid to put on their arm.On

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-88924818256327503022009-03-15T18:49:00.003+09:002009-03-15T19:16:20.218+09:00

There hasn't been much Crohn's news for the past few months, but I expect it to pick up around conference time. In the meantime The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has released information about a new technique for finding genes associated with a given disease. The researchers have tested this in the area of Crohn's and already found new genes related to the disease.In a complex disorder such

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-6006622189106758182008-11-25T23:59:00.007+09:002008-11-30T00:19:14.717+09:00

I've created a simple online tool, the MAB Decoder (see the top right of this page) to decode the generic name of any monoclonal antibody. For example, type in the common Crohn's medication infliximab to find from which animal species it is derived, and what part of the body it acts upon. This can be important because human-sourced antibodies are often better tolerated than those from other

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-77250813731906862982008-10-28T23:27:00.002+09:002008-11-08T20:04:49.545+09:00

Medscape [direct link requires subscription] has released a new summary of the latest findings in biologic therapy for Crohn's disease. Their previous summary on recent anti-TNF research was in June. Although that's still well worth reading, there have been much activity in this area since then. This article discusses combination therapies, first-line therapy (i.e. should biologics be used

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-67713296716407151862008-10-26T14:09:00.004+09:002008-10-26T14:27:51.152+09:00

According to the BBC French researchers suspect that a low level of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii bacteria in the intestine could be the cause of Crohn's disease.The researchers, from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, had already shown that patients with Crohn's disease have a marked deficiency in bacteria from the Clostridium leptum group.Their latest work shows that F.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-54641166793732188242008-10-12T22:52:00.009+08:002008-10-12T23:20:47.993+08:00

The Associated Press reports on research that shows Infliximab (Remicade), used alone or in combination with Azathioprine (Imuran) is significantly more effective, and no less safe, than a treatment of just Azathioprine. Currently, doctors usually prescribe Azathioprine first, and only progress to Infliximab when that fails. This study indicates that Infliximab should be considered earlier. (Note

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-24466529012535043612008-10-12T16:14:00.003+08:002008-10-12T16:39:15.846+08:00

There have been plenty of anecdotal reports of people who have successfully controlled their Crohn's by following specific diets. The Daily Mail mentions the success of a thousand patient trial in a UK hospital. (...) At Addenbrooke's Hospital, gastroenterologist Professor John Hunter and his team identify foods that act as a 'trigger' for symptoms, eliminate them from a patient's diet and '

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-63271984528846653862008-08-24T17:56:00.006+08:002008-08-24T18:26:50.226+08:00

I've always been fond of the idea that Crohn's is caused by MAP, and that it will be easily cured by a short course of antibiotics. A comprehensive look into how this proposition stands today is made by the American Society for Microbiology in their report "Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis: Infrequent Human Pathogen or Public Health Threat?".One acknowledged potential microbial agent of CD is

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-32391416155477635932008-08-09T19:16:00.005+08:002008-10-28T23:35:20.414+09:00

The most recent successfully-introduced medications for the treatment of Crohn's disease, infliximab and adalimumab, have targeted tumor necrosis factor (TNF). However, they are ineffective for some people, and become ineffective in others over time. The Lancet(free registration required) reports some of the different directions that researchers have been examining for further biologic agents,

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-20904326054270055282008-07-26T18:50:00.003+08:002008-10-28T23:34:23.500+09:00

The Age reports that adalimumab (marketed as Humira) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from next week. This means that Australian Crohn's patients will be able to purchase the drug for a nominal fee. Previously, the drug's high cost would have kept it out of reach of many people. Although the government is now picking up the tab, there is a net economic benefit to Australia.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-24483897623084301372008-07-08T18:28:00.005+08:002008-07-08T18:50:30.520+08:00

New research featured in Nature Genetics [full article via subscription] has found many more genes which increase the likelihood of a person developing Crohn's. Each gene helps scientists understand the mechanism of Crohn's better, and offers the potential for new targets of therapies. The Boston Globe reports further:The genome research has helped produce a "fundamentally new concept" of Crohn's

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-35301582838117107982008-06-01T13:03:00.004+08:002008-10-28T23:35:20.415+09:00

Medscape (free subscription, or go via Google) has a great in-depth interview with David A. Schwartz, Director of the IBD Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about the latest developments in anti-TNF medications for the treatment of Crohn's Disease. He manages to translate medical-journalese into language that non-medical professionals can understand. It includes important information

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-44506893557880670802008-05-24T22:15:00.003+08:002008-10-28T23:35:20.415+09:00

Medpage Today reports the preliminary results of a study which indicated that the common combination of infliximab plus methotrexate is no more effective than infliximab alone. The drugs have very different methods of operation, and are both effective in controlling the symptoms of Crohn's Disease in some people. Until now, it has been commonly believed that the effectiveness of infliximab is

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-47892588651467362008-05-18T22:25:00.004+08:002008-05-18T22:42:11.258+08:00

UPI have a very brief article that includes researchers definitively stating that Crohn's disease is "linked to low levels of a protein that helps bind the stomach lining". They go on:The scientists say that the stomach lining helps keep out bacteria that cause Crohn's, an inflammation that can involve any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. They found that patients with

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-2752687068775664142008-03-01T23:05:00.007+09:002008-10-28T23:35:20.416+09:00

A trial reported in The Lancet (full article by subscription) found that people treated by more aggressive medications earlier achieved better outcomes than those treated in the traditional manner. Combined immunosuppression was more effective than conventional management for induction of remission and reduction of corticosteroid use in patients who had been recently diagnosed with Crohn's

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-37334178755574535802008-02-23T14:42:00.005+09:002008-02-23T15:06:32.105+09:00

A few years ago it looked like antibiotics treating MAP would be effective in attacking the cause of Crohn's disease. Early trials had been very effective in producing and maintaining remission. However, not much was heard about later, larger trials. Giaconda, the company which now owns the rights to this therapy, have published a summary of the details so far.The results of a Phase II clinical

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-77905013046658154062008-02-10T23:08:00.000+09:002008-02-10T23:23:34.557+09:00

A report from the Royal Society of Chemistry describes a potential new treatment for Crohn's that has shown promise in mice. RNA interference, a recently developed method of gene therapy, was used to suppress a gene that causes inflammation in the intestine, thus reducing the related symptoms.RNA interference involves introducing into cells a double strand of RNA corresponding to the nucleic acid

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-82274634945361867552008-01-19T22:38:00.000+09:002008-10-28T23:32:18.176+09:00

Bloomberg.com reports that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Tysabri (Natalizumab) for treating Crohn's disease in some cases. Tysabri is already being used for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, but was briefly withdrawn after some serious side effects. European regulators refused to approve it for Crohn's disease. Boston.com has further information:European regulators recently

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-85116224793686789022007-12-13T14:15:00.000+09:002007-12-13T14:27:04.720+09:00

Researchers at The University of Liverpool have got one step closer to linking Crohn's disease to milk consumption. The team found that a bacterium called Mycobacterium paratuberculosis releases a molecule that prevents a type of white blood cell from killing E.coli bacteria found in the body. E.coli is known to be present within Crohn’s disease tissue in increased numbers.It is thought that the

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-59933286002175443292007-12-04T22:49:00.000+09:002007-12-04T23:02:29.373+09:00

There's some interesting research being done at the University of Nottingham into using stem cell therapy to "cure" Crohn's disease. Their trial hasn't started yet, but it is intriguing. Crohn's sufferers are genetically predisposed to the disease, which is first triggered in their body when they come into contact with a particular environmental stimulus. Once this happens, the immune system

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-59300071817504825852007-11-25T18:01:00.000+09:002007-11-25T18:08:36.306+09:00

Can-Fite(pdf) have stated that they believe their new biologic medication CF101 will be effective in improving the symptoms of Crohn's sufferers.Can-Fite reports that pre-clinical studies show that the A3 adenosine receptor, which is targeted by CF101, is over-expressed in bowel tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from patients with Crohn's disease. These findings are in line

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-65066039083454884862007-11-25T11:22:00.001+09:002008-08-24T17:53:55.689+08:00

Artist Tom Humberstone has created an engaging personal account of the Crohn's experience in his comic Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Crohn's Disease. It's a great resource to explain the effects of Crohn's to family and friends, instead of the dry list of medical symptoms from most medical sites.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-64647210612641367242007-10-27T14:36:00.000+08:002007-10-27T14:58:14.085+08:00

A small trial has found that capsule endoscopies after surgery are better tolerated and produce better results than regular colonscopies. This was reported in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (full article for subscribers only), with more details freely viewable at Medpage Today. Given that patients preferred the preparation and procedure surrounding swallowing a small camera, and that the results were

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-47432425956885033102007-09-02T23:12:00.000+08:002008-10-28T23:32:18.177+09:00

The Los Angeles Times has a good description of how two of the latest Crohn's medications operate:Cimzia is also a TNF blocker, but unlike the others it contains only part of the antibody -- the portion that recognizes TNF. The rest of the antibody -- the part that can induce its own immune response -- is replaced with a compound called PEG.This PEG tail stabilizes the drug, allowing it to stay

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-83332516811277991872007-08-18T18:39:00.000+08:002007-08-18T18:46:30.580+08:00

The Sydney Morning Herald reports, as predicted, that Infliximab will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from October for the treatment of Crohn's disease. Prior to this patients would have to pay the thousands of dollars themselves, or be one of the lucky few paid for by a hospital.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-27529886654483395382007-07-21T17:08:00.000+08:002008-10-28T23:33:48.347+09:00

The Daily Telegraph reports that Humira has been approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease in Australia. However, until it is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (if it ever is), its cost of $16,000 per month will be prohibitive for many people.

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-12455431654622190742007-07-08T23:18:00.000+08:002007-07-09T22:14:02.756+08:00

From the unlikely source of a new player in pharmaceuticals, Asia's largest company Hutchison, comes news of an alternative to the usual Crohn's medicines. The Independent reports that initial trials of a compound found in traditional Chinese medicine have found it to be as effective as the more common treatments in Ulcerative Colitis, and is expected to be similarly effective in Crohn's. The

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-60211555559619807242007-06-23T23:19:00.000+08:002008-10-28T23:35:20.417+09:00

A great editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine discusses how the the two current anti-TNF treatments, infliximab and adalimumab, are not living up to their initial promise. The article examines the latest research into the effectiveness of these antibodies, and notes that responses to infliximab lessen over time. It adds that people who have stopped responding to infliximab will then not

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-25889662324009423152007-06-22T23:38:00.000+08:002007-06-23T00:00:03.880+08:00

A Belgian study has found that PET/CT is 100% successful in diagnosing active Crohn's disease. PET, or Positron emission tomography, involves injecting the patient with a radioisotope, and watching for its decay. CT, Computed Tomography, is where multiple x-rays are taken in quick succession, and a computer combines them to form a 3D image. When referred to as PET/CT it indicates that the two

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-17704129047871351772007-06-09T19:17:00.000+08:002007-06-09T19:44:17.607+08:00

When the results of research are reported in three separate BBC reports you can tell it's important. Firstly, the BBC reported an overview:A major advance in understanding the genetics behind several of the world's most common diseases has been reported.The landmark Wellcome Trust study analysed DNA from the blood of 17,000 people to find genetic differences. ...One of the most exciting finds was

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-65324558786285120642007-05-29T11:01:00.000+08:002007-05-29T11:12:55.284+08:00

Tests on a new form of treatment called extracorporeal photopheresis have been announced. Results from an international multi-center Phase II clinical trial suggest that extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) may be effective in treating patients with clinically active (OR symptomatic) Crohn's disease who cannot tolerate or are refractory to immunosuppressants and/or anti-TNF agents.A 50% response

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-17508671422464439962007-04-26T22:15:00.000+08:002008-10-28T23:35:20.417+09:00

The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended that Infliximab (Remicade) be subsidised for the treatment of Crohn's disease (it's already subsidised for other conditions): The PBAC recommended the listing of infliximab for the treatment of patients with severe Crohn’s disease (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index ≥ 300) or patients with an ileostomy or colectomy due to Crohn

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-74596835898261840882007-04-25T22:57:00.000+08:002007-04-25T23:09:12.490+08:00

Hot on the heels of the US and Canadian gene findings is another genome-led research article, this time from Belgium. You can read the very technical article online in full at PLoS Genetics. I present the author summary in full here, because the article itself is too complicated for me to summarise:Individual susceptibility to many common diseases is determined by a combination of environmental

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-4887792693223197252007-04-17T21:49:00.000+08:002007-04-17T22:04:42.456+08:00

It has now been conclusively shown that genetics plays a role in the development of Crohn's disease, with the release of a study in Nature Genetics (full article available for purchase for US$30). Data from the Human Genome Project was used to compare the genes of people with and without the disease. The ABC mention:Scientists previously had some indications of a genetic component to Crohn's

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-36014568523547368312007-03-18T22:33:00.001+09:002008-08-24T17:53:25.279+08:00

Sometimes it can be difficult to interpret press releases to decide whether they're really announcing something revolutionary. From the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and published in Nature, is such a case.Our gut is home to an enormous number of bacteria, which live in harmony with us and help in food digestion. If they penetrate the wall of the intestine, however, these bacteria can

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-22931607606670056162007-02-28T22:44:00.000+09:002008-10-28T23:33:48.348+09:00

As expected, the new biologic medicine Humira has been approved by the FDA for adult use. According to the Wikipedia it may come in preloaded pen devices , which do sound like an improvement on the old manual syringe.The story appeared in the Chicago Tribune's business pages: "Humira has been shown to reduce signs and symptoms, and to induce and maintain clinical remission of Crohn's disease in

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-78389330330609609022007-02-25T22:35:00.000+09:002007-02-25T22:42:23.738+09:00

Newswise has an excerpt from an article in the Journal of Surgery which contains interesting research into the long-term success of surgery that avoids removing parts of the bowel.Among other findings, the study supports the notion that strictureplasty -- a bowel-sparing surgical procedure commonly used to correct Crohn's-related strictures -- is less likely to lead to stricture recurrence later

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-57742773441272157842007-02-19T22:39:00.000+09:002008-10-28T23:35:20.418+09:00

The Boston Globe has an update on new medication that is expected to be released to US consumers soon. Crohn's afflicted people outside the US will probably welcome this news, as it will introduce a large new population for the drugs to be tested on. It'll be interesting to see if Humira lives up to its promise of providing longer-term remission than infliximab (Remicade).Within days,

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-30104415242052026622007-01-19T14:47:00.000+09:002008-10-28T23:33:48.349+09:00

Hidden behind the subscription wall of The Wall Street Journal is a nice summary of the current status of the various Crohn's treatment options. That article has now made its way into the free world via the naplesnews.com.Amongst developments not yet reported in this blog is news of medicine which is potentially better than the highly-regarded anti-TNFs gaining popularity today. These include

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-4441968761321867802006-12-12T15:33:00.000+09:002008-10-28T23:32:18.178+09:00

The Boston Globe reports that it is unlikely that natalizumab (marketed as Tysabri) will be a viable treatment for Crohn's disease. Earlier reports had looked promising.Biogen Idec's chief executive, James Mullen, says the Cambridge biotechnology company is unlikely to receive approval from European regulators to use its drug Tysabri to treat patients with Crohn's disease, a debilitating

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-81811172356366566372006-11-16T12:32:00.000+08:002006-11-16T12:45:52.665+08:00

The Scotsman has a very optimistic article about a Crohn's vaccine that seems to work in mice:John Hermon-Taylor, professor of surgery at St George's Hospital in London, believes he has made the breakthrough that could spell the end of the incapacitating disease.Prof Hermon-Taylor has conducted pre-clinical vaccine tests on mice and says preliminary results returned no signs of side-effects or

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-20327539760162158342006-10-28T17:47:00.001+08:002009-12-27T13:45:04.325+08:00

A variety of media outlets have covered the new research that has found a gene mutation relating to the inflammation protein interleukin-23. (The roles of the different interleukins are summarised in the Wikipedia.) In this study, the DNA of people with Crohn's was compared with that of people without Crohn's. A mutation in the interleukin-23 receptor was one of their findings.The BBC notes: The

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-20780850369413207722006-10-24T22:53:00.000+08:002006-10-24T23:18:30.418+08:00

Elan and Biogen Idec announced that a trial has found that natalizumab (sold as TYSABRI) maintained remission in Crohn's disease patients treated for longer than 2 years. 93% of TYSABRI patients who were in remission at month 12 of ENACT-2, were still in remission following 6 additional TYSABRI infusions in the open-label extension study and 86% were still in remission after 12 additional

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-29792224569366888042006-10-23T13:56:00.000+08:002006-10-23T16:25:22.671+08:00

Osiris Therapeutics have announced encouraging results from their small trial of Prochymal in patients who had failed to respond to standard treatments.Prochymal is a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells specially formulated for intravenous infusion. The stem cells are obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors.Comments were made by the lead investigator, Dr. Jane Onken:“To understand

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1160840627906892202006-10-14T23:43:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:39:40.378+08:00

The last time I mentioned Cimzia it was so new that I couldn't find any information about how it actually worked. Now, that august journal of medical knowledge, BusinessWeek online, fills in the gaps, in an interesting interview with the CEO of Cimzia developer UCB, Roch Doliveaux:BW: Analysts reckon Cimzia has blockbuster potential. What other Crohn's disease drugs are on the market, and how is

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1153841165454001232006-07-25T23:26:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:44:39.596+08:00

The German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ have an article which describes a possible genetic cause of Crohn's disease. Patients with Crohn’s disease of the colon have one copy less than healthy persons of the beta-defensin 2 gene, a gene coding for an important defense molecule of the body. [...]Defensins are part of the arsenal of defense weapons used by the human immune system. [...] Patients

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1148829350021993782006-05-28T23:15:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.845+08:00

Penn State Live reports that a pilot study has shown encouraging results in using naltrexone to treat Crohn's disease. In the study, patients with diagnosed Crohn's disease were treated with a low dose of naltrexone, an FDA-approved drug used to ease symptoms of withdrawal from substance abuse, and monitored for improvement of symptoms for 12 weeks. Quality of life surveys were given every four

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1148369967715536312006-05-23T15:21:00.000+08:002008-10-28T23:33:48.349+09:00

Abbott has announced that a trial has shown that people for whom Humira (adalimumab) is effective after four weeks who then take Humira either weekly or fortnightly for a year are much more likely to be in remission after six months and after year than those taking a placebo. There's a lot more detail in the press release.In addition they include interesting news for users of infliximab (Remicade

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1148294222773994332006-05-22T18:20:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.737+08:00

Kuro5hin has an intruiging first-hand tale of a person who cured his asthma by deliberately gaining and maintaining a hookworm infestation. Although this has been proposed as a possible treatment for Crohn's and other auto-immune diseases, the necessary extensive research has not yet been done. In addition, if it is found to be effective, then the particular mechanism that the hookworms use would

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1148109227722568802006-05-20T15:13:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:42:18.892+08:00

The FDA's priority review program has lived up to its name, as only a month since being accepted into that program the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Remicade (Infliximab) for children with Crohn's Disease. The trial they examined showed that the medicine was as effective in children as in adults, and that it had the same side-effects.Remicade is a genetically engineered

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1147163012254778572006-05-09T16:23:00.001+08:002008-08-24T17:55:08.639+08:00

While there's a lull in research results being announced it's an opportune time to point out one of the sources of the research.The UK's National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC) has been funding research for a number of years, and the targets of their recent research funding are succintly described in plain English on their research pages. In addition there is a comprehensive

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1144217258259589582006-04-05T14:07:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:42:45.060+08:00

Johnson & Johnson announced that REMICADE for the treatment of Crohn's disease in children has been accepted for Priority Review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).The filing is based primarily on Phase 3 study results showing the unprecedented efficacy of REMICADE® in the treatment of children with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. In the REACH [...] trial, nearly 90 (

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1141486128211558062006-03-04T23:28:00.001+08:002006-10-15T14:43:00.612+08:00

UCB put out a press release announcing their submission for approval of a new anti-TNF drug. They note that:If approved, CIMZIA would be the first-ever biologic utilizing subcutaneous injection for the treatment of Crohn's disease.To lightly paraphrase their results, data from PRECiSE 2 (the second of four studies) demonstrated that within six weeks of initiating CIMZIA, 64.1 percent of patients

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1141198086566541122006-03-01T15:28:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.412+08:00

Yahoo has a press release about a small study into an interesting experimental drug Teduglutide:Overall, the study results showed a positive and consistent trend toward efficacy and a dose response favoring the highest dose group: 36.8% of patients receiving the highest dose of teduglutide reached clinical remission (Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) score of less than 150 points) at week two

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1140757580604773932006-02-24T13:06:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.359+08:00

The BBC reports on a Lancet study that indicates that Crohn's may be due to a "weakened immune system failing to destroy bacteria".The UCL team compared the immune system response of Crohn's patients and healthy individuals to minor injuries, such as skin abrasions.They found the Crohn's patients produced much lower numbers of infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils, and lower

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1140101415508940412006-02-16T22:50:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.305+08:00

The Saturday Evening Post has an in-depth interview with leading researcher and advocate on the link between Crohn's and MAP, Dr. John Hermon-Taylor.He explains why he believes there is a link between Crohn's and MAP and describes the success he has had in treating Crohn's patients.Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, you can show that virtually everyone with chronic inflammation

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1139037269806893152006-02-04T15:14:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.247+08:00

EurekAlert has a release about the results of two research programs into the use of COX-2 inhibitors by people with IBD: Both studies examined the benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors, in a patient population with ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn's disease. Study findings show that NSAIDs were well-tolerated, with COX-2 inhibitors offering the

Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21899620.post-1138946791779064612006-02-03T14:06:00.000+08:002006-10-15T14:34:17.189+08:00

Australia's ABC News is reporting that use of cancer therapy drug Sargramostim in trials for Crohn's disease is showing good signs:... Dr Graham Radford-Smith from the Royal Brisbane Hospital says the outlook is positive.'The important things are that this drug is very safe, it's got a long track record, it's been around for a long time, there have not been any major safety issues,' he said.'

Jamesnoreply@blogger.com