Utilidad de la monitorización terapéutica de infliximab en el manejo de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Usefulness of therapeutic monitoring of infliximab in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Primary non-response and secondary loss of response (LOR) are significant problems of biological therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in IBD patients receiving these drugs can improve outcomes. Aim: To measure serum infliximab levels and anti-infliximab antibodies (ATI) in patients with IBD post-induction phase and during maintenance therapy assessing the clinical course of IBD. Patients and Methods: Prospective study of IBD patients receiving infliximab between July 2016-May 2017. Group-A included patients who received induction therapy while Group-B included patients who were in maintenance therapy. TDM was performed in serum samples collected at weeks-14 and 30 in Group-A and before the infliximab maintenance dose in Group-B. Clinical scores, fecal calprotectin and endoscopic score were also evaluated. Results: Of 14 patients in Group-A, 57% achieved endoscopic response. Median serum infliximab concentrations at week-14 and 30 were 2.65 AU/mL (0.23-32.58) and 2.3 AU/mL (0.3-16.8), respectively. Patients with mucosal healing had non-significantly higher median infliximab concentrations at week- 14, as compared to week 30 (median 3.2 vs 2.2 AU/ml, respectively, p 0.6). ATI >10 ug/mL were found in one and seven patients at week-14 and 30, respectively. At 52 weeks of follow-up, four patients (31%) had LOR. Group-B included 36 patients, 33% had LOR. Median serum concentrations of infliximab were 1.4 AU/mL (0.27-7.03). No significant differences in serum infliximab concentration were observed between patients in remission and those with inflammatory activity. Seventeen patients had ATI >10 ug/mL. Conclusions: Clinical algorithms using TDM might help to optimize the pharmacological therapy of IBD.

Factores pronósticos en colitis ulcerosa de reciente diagnóstico / Prognostic factors of ulcerative colitis at the moment of diagnosis

The clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis at the moment of diagnosis is variable, and its clinical course is difficult to predict. It can range from a quiescent to a refractory chronic course that may require hospitalization and surgical procedures. It can also have complications such as colorectal cancer. In this review we discuss the role of demographic, clinical, endoscopic, histological and associated factors, which can help to predict the clinical course of the disease at the moment of diagnosis, and to individualize therapy according to this clinical risk. Accurate identification of patients with a newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis who are at high risk of an unfavorable outcome is still a challenge. However, an effective evaluation allows an early diagnosis, a timely and effective treatment.

Experiencia local con natalizumab en pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn refractaria a anti-TNF: casos clínicos / Natalizumab for the treatment of Crohns disease: report of three cases

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) agents have dramatically changed the management of Crohn’s Disease (CD). However, a significant number of these patients do not respond at all or cease to respond to antibodies against TNF. In this clinical situation, the options include intensification of anti-TNF therapy by either increasing the dose or by shortening the administration interval, the use of a second anti-TNF or medications with a different mechanism of action. Among the later, Natalizumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody against α4β1 and α4β7 integrins, is safe and effective in inducing and maintaining remission in active CD patient’s refractory to anti-TNF. In spite of this, Natalizumab use has been limited because of an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalophaty which results from reactivation of the John Cunningham (JC) virus. However, the presence of antibodies against JC virus in serum can be used to reduce the risk for this complication. We report three patients with Crohn’s disease refractory to treatment with infliximab, who responded successfully to the use of Natalizumab.

Infarto agudo al miocardio en pacientes de 80 y más años. Evolución hospitalaria y seguimiento / Clinical features and prognosis of acule myocardial infarction among patients aged 80 years or older

Background: Subjects older than 80 years have more complicated acute myocardial infarctions and are subjected to less reperfusion procedures. Aim: To describe the hospital evolution and follow up of patients older than 80 years, suffering an acute myocardial infarction. Material and methods: Patients older than 80 years, were selected from a prospective registry of acute myocardial infarction. Among these, the hospital evolution, mortality and events during a períod ofñve years of follow up, were recorded. Results: Of a total of 1200 patients, 83 (7 percent) were aged 80 years or older. Among these, 59 percent were male and 22 percent were diabetic. The mean lapse between onset of symptoms and admission was 11 hours and 59 percent were admitted with less than 6 hours of evolution. Sixty three percent had a history of a previous infarction and 24 percent had a Killip IV classification on admission. Reperfusion therapy was done in 19 percent and 70 percent had heart failure during evolution. A coronary angiography was done in 22 percent and 6 percent were subjected to revascularization. Mortality was 34 percent, specially due to cardiogenic shock or ventricular rupture. Of 55 patients discharged from the hospital, 31 percent died within one year and 64 percent within five years, mainly due to cardiac causes. Conclusions: Patients aged 80 years or older have more complicated myocardial infarctions, most of them are managed conservatively andlong term mortality is high.