A comparison of methotrexate with placebo for the maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

The drug methotrexate can be used to keep Crohn's patients in remission. This was the conclusion of researchers who randomly assigned 76 patients in remission from Crohn's disease to receive intramuscular injections of methotrexate or a placebo for several months. Sixty-five percent of those who received methotrexate stayed in remission compared to 39% of the placebo group. Only one person in the methotrexate group developed nausea and had to stop receiving the drug.

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Treatment of ulcerative colitis with a humanized antibody to the alpha4beta7 integrin

Article Abstract:

Selective blockade of interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelium in the gut is a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. It is concluded that in the short-term study, MLNO2, a humanized monoclonal antibody, was more effective than placebo for the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

United Kingdom, Science & research, Care and treatment, Research, Endothelium, Ulcerative colitis, Leukocytes, White blood cells

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Methotrexate for the treatment of Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

Methotrexate may provide a less toxic form of treatment for Crohn's disease and could provide an alternative to corticosteroid treatment for some patients. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory condition, often affecting the small bowel and colon. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are used to reduce inflammation in Crohn's patients, but the toxicity of these drugs make them a less-than-optimal form of treatment. A group of 141 patients receiving prednisone therapy for Crohn's was divided into two groups, with 94 receiving methotrexate and 47 receiving a placebo. Prednisone was administered in normal tapering cycles and new were cycles begun on an as needed basis. After 16 weeks, 39.4% of the patients in the methotrexate group were in remission, compared to 19.1% of those in the placebo group. Adverse reactions to treatment resulted in 17% of patients in the methotrexate withdrawing from the study, compared to 2% if the patients in the placebo group. The methotrexate group required less prednisone treatment.

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