Steroid refractory severe ulcerative colitis after kidney transplantation successfully treated with infliximab

A 54-year-old man underwent kidney transplantation at the age of 50 for end-stage renal failure owing to diabetic nephropathy. The patient was subsequently treated with three immunosuppressive drugs (tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone) to prevent organ rejection, and no renal failure was noted. He visited our department with bloody stools and diarrhea, and a colonoscopy revealed mucosal edema and redness of the entire colon. After excluding infection and drug-induced enteritis based on the endoscopic and pathological findings, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). He was admitted and received a high dose of steroids, but did not demonstrate improvement. We initiated infliximab (IFX), and his symptoms improved within 3 days. After the second IFX treatment, the patient achieved clinical remission and was discharged. After the third IFX dose, the biomarker level became normal, and a colonoscopy after the fourth IFX dose revealed that all ulcers had become scarred and achieved endoscopic remission. The patient continued all medications to prevent organ rejection after the onset of UC and had no graft dysfunction or infection for 1 year.

Therapeutic plasma exchange as a treatment modality for steroid refractory acute disseminated encephalomyelitis - A case report

The epidemiology of Dengue fever in the Indian subcontinent has been substantially increased. Acute disseminating encephalomyelitis is a rare complication of dengue and is characterized by multifocal white matter involvement and encephalopathy with neurological deficits. Treatment is usually steroids, IVIG and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). We report a case of 46 year old female patient who was a non responder to steroid treatment and successfully treated by TPE.

Tocilizumab combined with ruxolitinib in the treatment of children with steroid resistant graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of 6 cases

Six children with steroid resistant graft versus host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation admitted in the hospital, including 4 cases of acute GVHD and 2 cases of chronic GVHD. Among the 4 acute GVHD cases, the main manifestations were large area rash and fever in 2 cases, and abdominal pain and diarrhea in 2 cases. In 2 chronic GVHD cases, one presented lichenoid dermatosis, and the other showed repeated oral ulcers with difficult mouth opening. Patients received tocilizumab (8 mg/kg per dose every 3 weeks) and ruxolitinib (5-10 mg/d, 28 d), at least 2 courses were completed. All patients had complete responses (100%), and 5 patients responded after completion of two treatment courses, with the median time of remission was 26.7 d. The median follow-up period was 11 (7-25) months, and no severe treatment-related adverse reactions were observed.

Tacrolimus as rescue therapy for steroid-dependent/steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis: Experience from tertiary referral center in India

INTRODUCTION

Between 20% and 40% of patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) are either steroid-refractory UC (SRUC) or steroid-dependent UC (SDUC). Tacrolimus is an oral and relatively inexpensive drug, which has been extensively used in Japan for steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent disease.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with SDUC/SRUC were treated with tacrolimus 0.05-0.1 mg/kg in this prospective study. Clinical Mayo score (CMS) and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were evaluated prior to starting the drug and subsequently after 8 weeks. 5-Aminosalicylic acid agents (5-ASA) and immunomodulators were continued if the patients were previously on these drugs. Clinical response at 8 weeks was defined as decrease in CMS by at least 3 points. Clinical remission was defined as CMS ≤2 and combined remission as CMS≤2 with UCEIS <3.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (29 males) with a mean age of 35.1± 12.8 years with predominantly E3 disease (71%) were prospectively evaluated in this study. SDUC and SRUC were diagnosed in 31 and 21 patients, respectively. Seven failed treatment within 8 weeks, four were subjected to surgery, and 3 were switched to infliximab. Forty-two patients continued tacrolimus for 8 weeks. Mean CMS and UCEIS prior to starting tacrolimus were 6 ± 1.1 and 4.8 ± 1.1, respectively. At 8 weeks, median CMS and UCEIS decreased to 2.6 ± 1.7 and 2.7 ± 1.3, respectively. Clinical response was documented in 29 patients (56%) at week 8 whereas clinical remission was seen in 25 patients (48%). Combined clinical and endoscopic remissions were seen in 18 patients (35%). Except for a single  patient who developed reversible renal dysfunction, no other adverse event was  observed.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that tacrolimus is effective in inducing a clinical response in 56% of patients with SDUC and SRUC. In view of its low cost and safety profile, it may be considered first-line therapy for SDUC/SRUC.

A Phase I Study to Evaluate Two Doses of Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of De Novo High-Risk or Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft Versus Host Disease

BACKGROUND

Because of their well-described immunosuppressive properties, allogeneic adult human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) derived from bone marrow have demonstrated safety and efficacy in steroid refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR aGVHD). Clinical trials have resulted in variable success and an optimal source of MSC has yet to be defined. Based on the importance of maternal-fetal interface immune tolerance, extraembryonic fetal tissues, such as the umbilical cord, may provide an superior tissue source of MSC to mediate immunomodulation in aGVHD.

METHODS

A two-dose cohort trial allogeneic Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (WJMSC, referred to as MSCTC-0010, here) were tested in 10 patients with de novo high risk (HR) or SR aGVHD post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Following Good Manufacturing Practices isolation, expansion and cryostorage, WJMSC were thawed and administered via intravenous infusions on days 0 and 7 at one of two doses (low dose cohort, 2 × 10⁶/kg, n = 5; high dose cohort, 10 × 10⁶/kg, n = 5). To evaluate safety, patients were monitored for infusion related toxicity, Treatment Related Adverse Events (TRAE) til day 42, or ectopic tissue formation at day 90. Clinical responses were monitored at time points up to 180 days post infusion. Serum biomarkers ST2 and REG3α were acquired 1 day prior to first MSCTC-0010 infusion and on day 14.

RESULTS

Safety was indicated, e.g., no infusion-related toxicity, no development of TRAE, nor ectopic tissue formation in either low or high dose cohort was observed. Clinical response was suggested at day 28: the overall response rate (ORR) was 70%, 4 of 10 patients had a complete response (CR) and 3 had a partial response (PR). By study day 90, the addition of escalated immunosuppressive therapy was necessary in 2 of 9 surviving patients. Day 100 and 180 post infusion survival was 90% and 60%, respectively. Serum biomarker REG3α decreased, particularly in the high dose cohort, and with REG3α decrease correlated with clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of patients with de novo HR or SR aGVHD with low or high dose MSCTC-0010 was safe: the infusion was well-tolerated, and no TRAEs or ectopic tissue formation was observed. A clinical improvement was seen in about 70% patients, with 4 of 10 showing a complete response that may have been attributable to MSCTC-0010 infusions. These observations indicate safety of two different doses of MSCTC-0010, and suggest that the 10 × 10⁶ cells/ kg dose be tested in an expanded randomized, controlled Phase 2 trial. Graphical abstract.

Adult macrophage activation syndrome-haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: 'of plasma exchange and immunosuppressive escalation strategies' - a single centre reflection

OBJECTIVE

In the context of systemic autoimmunity, that is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH; also referred to as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) or more recently MAS-HLH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication. Pathophysiological hallmarks are aberrant macrophage and T cell hyperactivation and a systemic cytokine flare, which generate a sepsis-like, tissue-damaging, cytopenic phenotype. Unfortunately, for adult MAS-HLH we lack standardized treatment protocols that go beyond high-dose corticosteroids. Consequently, outcome data are scarce on steroid refractory cases. Aside from protocols based on treatment with calcineurin inhibitors, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and anti-IL-1, favourable outcomes have been reported with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIG) and plasma exchange (PE).

METHODS

Here we report a retrospective series of steroid refractory MAS-HLH, the associated therapeutic regimes and outcomes.

RESULTS

In this single-centre experience, 6/8 steroid refractory patients survived (median follow-up: 54.4 (interquartile range: 23.3-113.3) weeks). All were initially treated with PE, which induced partial response in 5/8 patients. Yet, all patients required escalation of immunosuppressive therapies. One case of MAS-HLH in new-onset AOSD had to be escalated to etoposide, whereas most SLE-associated MAS-HLH patients responded well to cyclophosphamide. Relapses occurred in 2/8 cases.

CONCLUSION

Together, early use of PE is at most a supportive measure, not a promising monotherapy of adult MAS-HLH. In refractory cases, conventional cytoreductive therapies (i.e. cyclophosphamide and etoposide) constitute potent and reliable rescue approaches, whereas IvIG, anti-thymoglobulin, and biologic agents appear to be less effective.

Basiliximab as Treatment for Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Pediatric Patients after Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Basiliximab has been used successfully as a second-line treatment for steroid-refractory (SR) acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in adult patients after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (haplo-HSCT) but has not been studied separately in the pediatric setting. We retrospectively reviewed 100 pediatric patients after haplo-HSCT receiving basiliximab for grades II (57%), III (27%), and IV (16%) SR aGVHD between January 2015 and December 2017. The median number of basiliximab doses was 4 (range, 2 to 9). The day 28 overall response rate was 85%, with complete response in 74% of patients, partial response in 11% of patients, and no response in 15% of patients. The day 28 overall response rates were 94.6% in skin SR aGVHD, 81.6% in gut SR aGVHD, and 66.7% in liver SR aGVHD. Infectious complications included bacterial infection (11%), presumed or documented fungal infections (7%), cytomegalovirus viremia (53%), Epstein-Barr virus viremia (11%), human herpesvirus-6 viremia (7%), and herpes simplex virus viremia (1%). The 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival, nonrelapse mortality, and relapse rates between responders and nonresponders were 81.3% versus 46.7% (P < .001), 79.0% versus 46.7% (P = .001), 6.1% versus 33.3% (P < .001), and 14.9% versus 20.0% (P = .46), respectively. We conclude that basiliximab is an effective second-line agent for pediatric patients with SR aGVHD after haplo-HSCT, particularly for skin SR aGVHD.

Inpatient Healthcare Resource Utilization, Costs, and Mortality in Adult Patients with Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease, Including Steroid-Refractory or High-Risk Disease, following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) contributes to poor outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Data are limited regarding the economic burden of acute GVHD, particularly steroid-refractory or high-risk (SR/HR) disease. This retrospective analysis of the Premier Healthcare Database reports inpatient healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), costs, and mortality during initial hospitalization for allogeneic HCT and through 100 days post-HCT among patients who developed acute GVHD, including a subgroup with SR/HR disease, compared with patients without GVHD. The analysis included adults discharged for first HCT between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2016 (acute GVHD, n = 906; SR/HR acute GVHD, n = 158; no GVHD, n = 1529). During the initial hospitalization for HCT, patients with acute GVHD and SR/HR acute GVHD (n = 455 and 125, respectively) had significantly longer median lengths of stay (31 and 46 days versus 24 days) and higher median total costs ($153,849 and $205,880 versus $97,417) versus patients with no GVHD (n = 1529; P < .0001 for all). During the 100-day post-HCT period, patients with acute GVHD and SR/HR acute GVHD had higher readmission rates (78.3% and 77.2% versus 28.3%; P < .0001) and inpatient mortality rates (20.2% and 35.4% versus 8.9%; P < .0001) versus patients with no GVHD. In summary, acute GVHD, especially SR/HR disease, is associated with longer inpatient stays, higher readmission rates, and higher inpatient mortality compared with no GVHD.

[The efficacy of cyclosporine A as salvage therapy for severe active ulcerative colitis refractory to glucocorticoid]

Objective: To clarify the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine A (CsA) as salvage therapy in patients with severe active ulcerative colitis (UC) and refractory to steroids. Methods: A total of 24 severe active UC patients refractory to steroids and hospitalized from 2006 to 2012, were retrospectively enrolled.Data including demographic features, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and medications were collected. Results: CsA was effective in 15(62.5%) patients, who did not receive colectomy during 12-week administration. This regimen was tolerable in most patients.Twelve (50.0%) patients reported 16 adverse events, but only one patient withdrew CsA due to intolerance.The rates of adverse events in initial intravenous CsA including 4 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1,) 3 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) and 2 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) were 2/2, 9/17 and 1/5 respectively.Responders had higher white blood cell count compared with non-responders (P= 0.045). Conclusions: CsA could be an effective alternative regimen to colectomy in severe active UC patients who are refractory to steroids.

Extra corporeal photochemotherapy in steroid refractory graft versus host disease: A review of guidelines and recommendations

Regardless of remarkable progresses in prevention and treatment approaches, graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains a major impediment for successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) and leads to morbidity and mortality in transplanted patients. Corticosteroids are the standard therapy for GVHD; however, a great number of patients will not respond sufficiently and others will be significantly affected by adverse effects of steroids. Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), as one of the numerous second line therapies, through modulation of immune cells may improves GVHD affected organ function in steroid-refractory forms. Considering to widespread utilization of ECP as a therapeutic strategy, we performed review on current literature of ECP, regarding the treatment strategies, monitoring protocols and technical aspects in chronic and acute GVHD.

Targeting Integrin α4β7 in Steroid-Refractory Intestinal Graft-versus-Host Disease

Steroid refractory acute graft-versus-host-disease of the gut is a serious complication associated with high mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Treatment options are limited and not predictably effective. We describe the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host-disease with vedolizumab, an antibody directed against integrin α4β7, in 6 patients. All patients responded, and 4 of 6 patients are alive with a median follow-up of 10 months.

Combination Therapy with Inolimomab and Etanercept for Severe Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

Steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). A protocol on the management of aGVHD was introduced in our center that incorporated a prospective study on combination therapy with inolimomab (anti-IL-2Rα) and etanercept (anti-tumor necrosis factor-α) for steroid-refractory aGVHD. We evaluated the efficacy and safety in 21 consecutively treated patients. The patients had developed refractory aGVHD after SCT (n = 16) or donor lymphocyte infusion (n = 5), and aGVHD was classified as severe in all patients, mostly due to gastrointestinal involvement stages 2 to 4. No drug-related side effects were observed apart from the infections expected to occur in these severely immunocompromised patients. Overall response at day 28 of second-line therapy was 48% (10/21), with 6 and 4 patients achieving a complete and partial response, respectively. Eventually, 19 patients died (90%), with early mortality (<6 months) predominantly resulting from refractory aGVHD and secondary infections and late mortality resulting from relapse of the underlying disease. With a median follow-up of 55 days, the estimated rates of 6-month and 2-year overall survival were dismal, 29% and 10%, respectively. In conclusion, the combination of inolimomab and etanercept for steroid-refractory aGVHD failed to improve the dismal prognosis of severe steroid-refractory aGVHD.

Randomised controlled trial. Comparison Of iNfliximab and ciclosporin in STeroid Resistant Ulcerative Colitis: Trial design and protocol (CONSTRUCT)

INTRODUCTION

Many patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) present with acute exacerbations needing hospital admission. Treatment includes intravenous steroids but up to 40% of patients do not respond and require emergency colectomy. Mortality following emergency colectomy has fallen, but 10% of patients still die within 3 months of surgery. Infliximab and ciclosporin, both immunosuppressive drugs, offer hope for treating steroid-resistant UC as there is evidence of their short-term effectiveness. As there is little long-term evidence, this pragmatic randomised trial, known as Comparison Of iNfliximab and ciclosporin in STeroid Resistant Ulcerative Colitis: a Trial (CONSTRUCT), aims to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of infliximab and ciclosporin for steroid-resistant UC.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Between May 2010 and February 2013, 52 UK centres recruited 270 patients admitted with acute severe UC who failed to respond to intravenous steroids but did not need surgery. We allocated them at random in equal proportions between infliximab and ciclosporin.The primary clinical outcome measure is quality-adjusted survival, that is survival weighted by Crohn's and Colitis Questionnaire (CCQ) participants' scores, analysed by Cox regression. Secondary outcome measures include: the CCQ-an extension of the validated but community-focused UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) to include patients with acute severe colitis and stoma; two general quality of life measures-EQ-5D and SF-12; mortality; survival weighted by EQ-5D; emergency and planned colectomies; readmissions; incidence of adverse events including malignancies, serious infections and renal disorders; disease activity; National Health Service (NHS) costs and patient-borne costs. Interviews investigate participants' views on therapies for acute severe UC and healthcare professionals' views on the two drugs and their administration.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Research Ethics Committee for Wales has given ethical approval (Ref. 08/MRE09/42); each participating Trust or Health Board has given NHS Reseach & Development approval. We plan to present trial findings at international and national conferences and publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN

22663589; EudraCT number: 2008-001968-36.

Allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cell therapy (remestemcel-L, Prochymal) as a rescue agent for severe refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in pediatric patients

Severe steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is related to significant mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Early clinical trials of therapy with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in pediatric patients with severe aGVHD resistant to multiple immunosuppressive agents showed promising results. In this study, we evaluated the risk/benefit profile of remestemcel-L (Prochymal), a third-party, off-the-shelf source of hMSCs, as a rescue agent for treatment-resistant aGVHD in pediatric patients. Children with grade B-D aGVHD failing steroids and, in most cases, other immunosuppressive agents were eligible for enrollment. Patients received 8 biweekly i.v. infusions of 2 × 10(6) hMSCs/kg for 4 weeks, with an additional 4 weekly infusions after day +28 for patients who achieved either a partial or mixed response. The enrolled patients compose a very challenging population with severe disease that was nonresponsive to the standard of care, with 88% of the patients experiencing severe aGVHD (grade C or D). Seventy-five patients (median age, 8 yr; 58.7% male; and 61.3% Caucasian) were treated in this study. Sixty-four patients (85.3%) had received an unrelated hematopoietic stem cell graft, and 28 patients (37.3%) had received a cord blood graft. At baseline, the distribution of aGVHD grades B, C, and D was 12.0%, 28.0%, and 60.0%, respectively. The median duration of aGVHD before enrollment was 30 d (range, 2 to 1639 d), and patients failed a median of 3 immunosuppressive agents. Organ involvement at baseline was 86.7% gastrointestinal, 54.7% skin, and 36.0% liver. Thirty-six patients (48.0%) had 2 organs involved, and 11 patients (14.7%) had all 3 organs involved. When stratified by aGVHD grade at baseline, the rate of overall response (complete and partial response) at day +28 was 66.7% for aGVHD grade B, 76.2% for grade C, and 53.3% for grade D. Overall response for individual organs at day +28 was 58.5% for the gastrointestinal system, 75.6% for skin, and 44.4% for liver. Collectively, overall response at day +28 for patients treated for severe refractory aGVHD was 61.3%, and this response was correlated with statistically significant improved survival at day +100 after hMSC infusion. Patients who responded to therapy by day +28 had a higher Kaplan-Meier estimated probability of 100-d survival compared with patients who did not respond (78.1% versus 31.0%; P < .001). Prochymal infusions were generally well tolerated, with no evidence of ectopic tissue formation.