1.
A randomized control study on the procedure for switching epoetin beta (EPO) to epoetin beta pegol (CERA) in the treatment of renal anemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Toida T, Sato Y, Shibata N, Kitamura K, Fujimoto S
Blood Purification. 2014;38((3-4):):174-9.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the method of switching EPO to CERA that does not cause a decrease in the Hb level. METHODS Fifty EPO-treated patients were randomly divided into two groups in which CERA was administered every two weeks (Q2W) or every four weeks (Q4W). After 8 weeks of treatment, the frequency of administration was changed to Q4W in the former. Follow-up was performed for 24 weeks. RESULTS There was no difference in the Hb level between the two groups until 6 weeks. In the Q2W group, the Hb maintained a stable level throughout a study period. However, in the Q4W group, the Hb level was significantly lower than in the Q2W group at weeks 9, 11, and 13. CONCLUSION EPO switching to CERA without a decrease in the Hb level could be achieved by administering CERA every two weeks, but not every four weeks, for a specific period after switching.Copyright 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.
2.
Intensive granulocyte and monocyte adsorption versus intravenous prednisolone in patients with severe ulcerative colitis: an unblinded randomised multi-centre controlled study
Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, Watanabe F, Maruyama Y, Kageoka M, Ikeya K, Yamada M, Kikuyama M, Iwaoka Y, et al
Digestive and Liver Disease : Official Journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver. 2008;40((6):):433-40.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Several uncontrolled studies have reported on the efficacy of adsorptive depletion of peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages (GM) in patients with moderate or severe ulcerative colitis. This study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intensive GMA with intensive intravenous prednisolone in patients with severe ulcerative colitis. METHODS Seventy patients with clinical activity index 10-23 were randomly assigned to intensive GMA with the Adacolumn, at 2 sessions/week in the first 3 weeks and then 1 session/week for up to 11 sessions (n = 35) or intravenous prednisolone, 40-60 mg/day for 5-10 days (n = 35). No patient received immunomodulators within 8 weeks prior to entry. Clinical response based on intention to treat was assessed at weeks 2, 6 and 12. RESULTS Four patients in the prednisolone group and two patients in the GMA group discontinued in week 1. At weeks 2, 6 and 12, the remission (clinical activity index < or = 4) rates (%) in the GMA group were 17. 1, 54. 4, 74. 3, respectively. The corresponding values in the prednisolone group were 25. 7, 51. 4 and 48. 6. Further, at week 12, 27 patients (77%) in the GMA group and 5 patients (14%) in the prednisolone group were steroid free (P = 0. 0076). In the GMA group, flushing and light-headedness were observed in 5 patients versus typical steroid side effects in 29 patients of the prednisolone group. CONCLUSIONS In this clinical response to GMA was comparable or better than prednisolone. Further, the response to GMA was slower than to intravenous prednisolone, but was more sustainable than the latter.
3.
Adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis versus prednisolone in patients with corticosteroid-dependent moderately severe ulcerative colitis
Hanai H, Watanabe F, Yamada M, Sato Y, Takeuchi K, Iida T, Tozawa K, Tanaka T, Maruyama Y, Matsushita I, et al
Digestion. 2004;70((1):):36-44.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Active ulcerative colitis (UC) is often associated with increased peripheral granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages which show activation behavior and prolonged survival time. Further, mucosal granulocyte level parallels intestinal inflammation and can predict UC relapse. Accordingly, our aim was to see if adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) can promote remission and spare steroid in patients with steroid-dependent (SD) UC. METHODS 69 SD patients, at the time of relapse, were randomly assigned to groups I (n = 46) and II (n = 23). The mean dose of prednisolone (PSL) was 12 mg/day/patient, CAI (clinical activity index) 9.2 in both groups. Group I patients were given up to 11 GMA sessions over 10 weeks with Adacolumn; in group II, the mean dose of PSL was increased to 30 mg/day/patient. RESULTS At week 12, 83% of group I and 65% of group II patients were in remission, CAI in group I was 1. 7 (p < 0.001) and in group II, 2.5 (p < 0. 001). Further, during the 12 weeks of treatment, the cumulative amount of PSL received per patient was 1,157 mg in group I and 1,938 mg in group II (p = 0. 001). CONCLUSIONS GMA appeared to be an effective adjunct to standard drug therapy of moderately severe UC by promoting remission and sparing steroids.