Oral tacrolimus long‐term therapy in patients with Crohn’s disease and steroid resistance

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2001.00938.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T03:44:05Z
• Authors: E. Ierardi; M. Principi; R. Francavilla; A. Pisani; M. Rendina; M. Ingrosso; F. W. Guglielmi; C. Panella; A. Francavilla
• Keywords: Mesalazine

Aim: To report the results of a prospective, open‐label, uncontrolled study in 13 patients affected by Crohn’s disease with resistance to steroids. Methods: The were treated long‐term oral tacrolimus, aiming both resolve acute attacks and maintain remission. Tacrolimus was administered at dose 0.1–0.2 mg.day/kg adjusted order achieve levels 5–10 ng/mL; only mesalazine continued concomitantly. Steroids total parenteral nutrition tapered when appropriate. Results: Median treatment 27.3 months. Only one patient dropped out due adverse events. activity index score significantly decreased after 6 months 11 patients; for 1 year nine them, 7 years two them. inflammatory bowel life‐quality questionnaire increased over same periods. A marked drop hospitalizations recorded. In three six complete closure fistulas occurred. allowed be withdrawn five patients. Supplementation low‐dose steroids required Two underwent surgery. Conclusions: therapy appears associated short‐ benefits, may represent therapeutic option conventional therapies fail. This encourages its use controlled trials.