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Perdalkar S, Basthi Mohan P, Musunuri B, Rajpurohit S, Shetty S, Bhat K, Pai CG. Thiopurine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease in the pandemic era: Safe or unsafe? Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109597. [PMID: 36702073 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two major types affecting millions across the globe. Various immunomodulatory drugs consisting of small molecules (thiopurines, methotrexate and tofacitinib) and biologics are used to treat IBD. Thiopurines (TP) are widely used in the treatment of IBD and it plays an important role both alone and in combination with anti-TNF agents as IBD maintenance therapy. Although the advent of biologics therapy has significantly advanced the management of IBD, TP remains the mainstay of treatment in resource-limited and low economic settings. However, the recently commenced pandemic has raised uncertainty over the safety of the use of immunosuppressant drugs such as TP among healthcare care providers and patients, as there is a scarcity of data on whether IBD patients are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection or more prone to its severe outcomes. AIM This review aims to encapsulate evidence on the risk of COVID-19 infection and its severe prognosis in IBD patients on TP. Additionally, it also evaluates the role of TP in inhibiting the viral protease, a potential drug target, essential for the replication and pathogenesis of the virus. CONCLUSION Emerging evidence suggests that TP therapy is safe during the current pandemic and does not carry an elevated risk when used as monotherapy or in combination with other IBD drugs. In-vitro studies demonstrate that TP is a potential therapeutic for present and future betacoronavirus pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailesh Perdalkar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Pooja Basthi Mohan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Balaji Musunuri
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Siddheesh Rajpurohit
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Shiran Shetty
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Krishnamurthy Bhat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Cannanore Ganesh Pai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India.
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Rezazadeh Ardabili A, Jeuring S, Mujagic Z, Oostenbrug L, Romberg‐Camps M, Jonkers D, van Bodegraven A, Pierik M. Classic drugs in the time of new drugs: real-world, long-term outcomes of thiopurine monotherapy in 1016 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:1030-1043. [PMID: 35794735 PMCID: PMC9544244 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thiopurines remain recommended as maintenance therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite their widespread use, long-term effectiveness data are sparse and safety is an increasingly debated topic which thwarts proper delineation in the current IBD treatment algorithm. AIMS To document effectiveness and safety of thiopurine monotherapy in patients with IBD, using the population-based IBD South-Limburg (IBDSL) cohort METHODS: All patients starting thiopurine monotherapy as maintenance between 1991 and 2014 were included. Therapy was defined as effective if there was no escalation to biologicals, no course of corticosteroids, no surgery and no hospitalisation for active disease during treatment. Long-term effectiveness was assessed by adjusting for differences in follow-up using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Mid- to long-term safety regarding cancer incidence and clinically relevant liver disease was documented. RESULTS In total, 1016 patients (643 Crohn's disease [CD]; 373 ulcerative colitis [UC]) received thiopurine monotherapy at a median of 15.2 (Q1-Q3 4.2-48.5) months after diagnosis. During follow-up, effectiveness rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 64%, 45%, 32%, respectively, in CD and and 66%, 41%, 36%, respectively in UC. No statistically significant differences in effectiveness were observed after stratification for era of initiation (pre-biological vs biological, CD: p = 0.56; UC: p = 0.43). Sixteen non-melanoma skin cancers (incidence rate [IR] 3.33/1000 PY), five lymphomas (IR 1.04/1000 PY) and one urinary tract cancer (IR 0.21/1000 PY) were recorded. Two cases of portal hypertension were identified. CONCLUSION In real-world practice, thiopurine monotherapy remains effective, safe and durable for patients with CD or UC, including in the era of biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Rezazadeh Ardabili
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
- School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)Maastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Steven Jeuring
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Zlatan Mujagic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
- School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)Maastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Liekele Oostenbrug
- Department of Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Internal and Intensive Care Medicine (Co‐MIK)Zuyderland Medical CentreSittard‐GeleenThe Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Romberg‐Camps
- Department of Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Internal and Intensive Care Medicine (Co‐MIK)Zuyderland Medical CentreSittard‐GeleenThe Netherlands
| | - Daisy Jonkers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
- School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)Maastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Adriaan van Bodegraven
- Department of Gastroenterology, Geriatrics, Internal and Intensive Care Medicine (Co‐MIK)Zuyderland Medical CentreSittard‐GeleenThe Netherlands
| | - Marieke Pierik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyMaastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
- School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM)Maastricht University Medical Centre+MaastrichtThe Netherlands
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Jorissen C, Verstockt B, Schils N, Sabino J, Ferrante M, Vermeire S. Long-term clinical outcome after thiopurine discontinuation in elderly IBD patients. Scand J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:1323-1327. [PMID: 34399630 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2021.1965207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM Thiopurines - although used frequently in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) - carry a significant safety risk, particularly with prolonged use and/or in elderly patients. Stopping therapy, however, may trigger relapses. We assessed the long-term outcome of elderly IBD patients after discontinuation of thiopurine while in clinical remission. METHODS Electronic medical records from IBD patients >60 years whoever received thiopurine treatment were reviewed. Patients who stopped thiopurine after 60 years of age while in clinical and/or endoscopic remission were included. Long-term outcomes included duration of clinical remission, time to clinical relapse, and development of malignancy. RESULTS In total, 142 patients receiving thiopurines while they were >60 years were identified. Ninety-one patients stopped thiopurines at >60years while in clinical and/or endoscopic remission. After a median follow-up of 66 months, 28 (30.8%) developed a clinical relapse. The median duration of TP therapy in relapses was significantly shorter than in patients who remained in remission (median 45 vs. 103 months, respectively; p = .005). After relapse, 10 patients started a biological (36%) and seven received steroids (25%). Surgery was needed in 36% of patients (10/28). Overall, 26 malignancies developed. CONCLUSION Discontinuation of TP in elderly IBD patients in clinical and/or endoscopic remission results in sustained clinical remission in two-thirds of patients. Patients who flare can mostly be rescued with biologicals although one-third necessitate surgery. A significant proportion of patients developed malignancies under but also after thiopurines discontinuation, indicating that these patients necessitate a continued close follow-up. Decision-making in this vulnerable subgroup of patients remains difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jorissen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B Verstockt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders - IBD, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - N Schils
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Sabino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders - IBD, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Ferrante
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders - IBD, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Vermeire
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders - IBD, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Poor Drug Sustainability in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Clinical Remission on Thiopurine Monotherapy. Dig Dis Sci 2021; 66:1650-1657. [PMID: 32591969 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunomodulator monotherapy is an important component in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there is conflicting literature about thiopurines maintaining long-term remission in patients with active IBD. AIM To determine the durable clinical remission rate in adults with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) on thiopurine monotherapy over 5 years. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients identified at McGill University Health Centre from 2009 to 2012. We included IBD patients who initiated thiopurine monotherapy and were in remission for at least 3 months (Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) < 5 points for CD and partial Mayo Score (pMS) < 2 points in UC). The primary endpoint was sustained clinical remission on thiopurines during a 5-year follow-up. This included patients who had not relapsed or discontinued the drug due to side effects. The secondary endpoint was clinical relapse over the follow-up period, which was defined as HBI > 5 in CD and pMS > 2 in UC. RESULTS There were 148 patients included in the study (100 CD; 48 UC). At 5 years, 23% (34/148) patients remained in clinical remission on thiopurine monotherapy (25 CD and 9 UC patients). Thirty-three percent (33/100) of CD and 46% (22/48) of UC patients relapsed while on thiopurines. There was no difference in relapse rates between CD and UC patients. Eighty-four percent (42/50) of patients with CD with side effects and all UC (17/17) patients who experienced side effects discontinued the drug. CONCLUSION This analysis demonstrates that there is poor sustainability of clinical remission in IBD patients on thiopurine monotherapy given that a high proportion of patients discontinue thiopurines due to either relapse or side effects.
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Li T, Qiu Y, Li X, Zhuang X, Huang S, Li M, Feng R, Chen B, He Y, Zeng Z, Chen M, Zhang S. Thalidomide Combined With Azathioprine as Induction and Maintenance Therapy for Azathioprine-Refractory Crohn's Disease Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:557986. [PMID: 33240902 PMCID: PMC7677527 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.557986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination therapy of thalidomide and azathioprine (AZA) offers an alternative in clinical practice for Crohn's disease (CD) patients experiencing a loss of response to AZA monotherapy. However, little is known about the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy for patients with CD. This was a retrospective study of 122 consecutive CD patients who lost response to AZA therapy and had switched to a combination therapy of thalidomide and AZA. The primary outcomes were clinical response and clinical remission rates at week 24. Patients who had an initial response to combination therapy were continued on the treatment for remission maintenance. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of clinical relapse throughout maintenance. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate cumulative rates, and Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. During induction, 80.3% (98/122) patients achieved clinical response within a median duration of 6.5 weeks, (interquartile range, 4.3–8.1 weeks). The rate of clinical remission at 24 weeks was 70.5%. During follow-up, 22.4% (22/98) of the patients that were maintained on combination therapy experienced clinical relapse. The proportions of patients in remission status at 12, 24, and 36 months were 85.1, 78.3, and 70.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed C-reactive protein >10 mg/L at disease relapse on AZA monotherapy [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 4.72; 95% CI, 1.19–18.75, P = 0.027] and 6-thioguanine nucleotides level ≥235 pmol/8 × 108 erythrocytes at AZA monotherapy (adjusted HR, 5.32; 95% CI, 1.40–20.14, P = 0.014) were associated with disease relapse on combination therapy. The endoscopic remission rate was 63.6%. Mucosal healing was achieved in 23.6% of the patients. Both Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (13.4 ± 4.92 vs. 6.12 ± 5.24, P < 0.001) and Rutgeerts scores (3.23 ± 0.73 vs. 1.77 ± 1.59, P = 0.003) were significantly decreased with the use of combination therapy. Adverse events occurred in 62 (50.8%) patients, but only 13 (10.7%) necessitated therapy discontinuation. Thalidomide combined with AZA was effective in inducing clinical remission and sustaining long-term steroid-free remission in CD patients who lost response to AZA monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhi Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhuang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manying Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baili Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhirong Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shenghong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Martín-Masot R, Ortiz Pérez MP, Ramos Rueda N, Serrano Nieto J, Blasco-Alonso J, Navas-López VM. Análisis de la determinación de niveles de tiopurínicos en pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. An Pediatr (Barc) 2020; 93:34-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Martín-Masot R, Ortiz Pérez MP, Ramos Rueda N, Serrano Nieto J, Blasco-Alonso J, Navas-López VM. Laboratory determination of thiopurine levels in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. ANALES DE PEDIATRÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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