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Immunological treatment failure of anti-TNF therapy negatively influences treatment persistence of a second anti-TNF in IBD patients. So far it is unknown if this effect is also observed for other monoclonal antibodies. We assessed the influence of immunogenicity to anti-TNFs on treatment persistence of subsequent ustekinumab and vedolizumab therapy. IBD patients with and without immunogenicity to anti-TNFs (undetectable trough levels and antibody titers ≥20 ng/mL) and subsequent ustekinumab (UST) and/or vedolizumab (VDZ) therapy were included in this retrospective, single-center study. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards were used as statistical methods. One hundred patients (Crohn's disease: 62, Ulcerative colitis: 31, IBD unclassified: 7) with 127 treatment lines (62 with UST, 65 with VDZ) were included in the analysis. Immunogenicity to previous anti-TNFs did not influence treatment persistence of subsequent ustekinumab and vedolizumab therapy (UST: Log rank: p =.95, Immunogenicity: HR for treatment discontinuation: 0.97 [95% CI 0.31–3.04]; VDZ: p =.65, HR: 0.85 [0.41–1.75]; total cohort [UST and VDZ]: p =.62, HR: 0.86 [0.47–1.57]). Azathioprine co-treatment did not lengthen treatment persistence (UST: Log rank: p =.77, azathioprine: HR: 1.20 [0.34–4.27]; VDZ: p =.92, HR: 0.58 [0.17–1.99]; total cohort: p =.79, HR: 1.10 [0.55–2.20]). In this anti-TNF experienced cohort, patients with ustekinumab remained longer on treatment than patients receiving vedolizumab (Log rank: p =.005, UST: HR: 0.43 [0.23–0.79]). Immunogenicity to anti-TNFs does not influence treatment persistence of subsequent ustekinumab and vedolizumab therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Anti‐TNF antibodies were the first biologic treatment option for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Aims: To assess length of treatment persistence of first anti‐TNF therapy and influencing factors used in the standard care of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Methods: Single‐centre, retrospective study from a register including patients who received anti‐TNF therapy in the last 20 years at the study centre. Kaplan‐Meier analysis with log‐rank test was used to describe treatment persistence. With multivariable Cox regression analysis, risk factors for treatment failure were investigated. Results: Five hundred thirty‐eight patients (CD, Crohn's disease: 367, UC, ulcerative colitis: 147, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified: 24) with a median follow‐up of 8.1 years were included. Median (95% confidence interval) treatment persistence in the total cohort was 2.3 years (28 [22, 38] months), and nearly half of patients withdrew from treatment within 2 years. Male patients were treated longer than females (male: 37 [25, 48] months, female: 23 [14, 33] months, P = 0.002). Treatment persistence was longer in CD compared to UC (CD: 39 [30, 50] months, UC: 13 [9, 19] months, P < 0.001), and patients with CD remained longer on adalimumab than on infliximab treatment (adalimumab: 67 [55, 95] months, infliximab: 19 [14, 31] months, P < 0.001). Treatment failure (52%) and side effects (25%) were the most common reasons for withdrawal from therapy; 14% withdrew due to remission. Female sex was identified as independent predictor for treatment failure in UC (hazard ratio [CI]: 1.73 [1.02‐2.92], P = 0.04). Conclusion: Long‐term treatment persistence of first anti‐TNF therapy was limited in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, primarily due to treatment failure and side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Blesl et al and Srinivasan & van Langenberg papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16478 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16506 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conference paper about the major means of the European Union (EU) in addressing humanitarian crisis is presented. The three main tools of the European Union's humanitarian assistance are discussed. Also described are the conflict prevention and crisis management tasks of EU as defined in the EU Treaties. Mentioned, as well, are the four ongoing EU crisis management operations.

Introductory comments The Bosnia war ended not by peace-keeping, nor by war-making, even if a military intervention was required, but by political engineering: the creation of the Bosnian-Croat Federation (1994) and the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995). If pacification and normalisation were the first aims, Bosnia and Herzegovina is now engaged in a complex transition and integration process. But after 8 years of international presence, Bosnia and Herzegovina is still an aid-dependent country, and most aspects of social, political and economic life are now matters of the international protectorate-type intervention. In order to overcome this situation, foreign involvement will remain a prerequisite, but it must absolutely address Bosnian self-government and ownership with an adequate strategy. After a first period of military stabilisation and reconstruction (1995-1997), and a second one of a quasi-protectorate characterised by a strong use of the powers of the High Representative (1997-2000), the main challenge of the third period--now under way--is to enable the transition from an international soft-protectorate to a sustainable and sovereign Bosnian state. The former High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch focused on international power precisely in support of state-building objectives and worked for the Bosnian ownership of a new local institutional environment, which is capable of taking responsibility for the new state. We start this interview with a regional focus, as Wolfgang Petritsch was also Special Envoy of the EU for Kosovo (1998-1999) and later on European Union Chief Negotiator at the Kosovo peace talks in Rambouillet and Paris (1999). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Intolerance to azathioprine is a rare but important problem in treating chronically active Crohn's disease. We performed this study to evaluate mycophenolate mofetil as an alternative immunosuppressive therapy for patients with Crohn's disease who did not tolerate azathioprine. Methods: Four patients with highly active perianal Crohn's disease and two patients with chronically active, steroid-dependent Crohn's disease were included. All patients consumed 2 g/day of mycophenolate mofetil for a median of 8 months (range, 6-12 months). Disease activity was measured by the Perianal Crohn's Disease Activity Index in patients with perianal disease and by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index in patients with chronically active Crohn's disease. Results: Azathioprine-induced side effects disappeared after the drug was discontinued. All patients improved during treatment with mycophenolate mofetil, as shown by a remarkable reduction in the respective clinical scores. Five patients showed no side effects during treatment with mycophenolate mofetil. After 4 months' treatment one patient developed diarrhea that was probably not due to mycophenolate mofetil. Conclusion: Mycophenolate mofetil could be an alternative therapy to azathioprine in patients with Crohn's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proresolution functions were reported for PGD2 in colitis, but the role of its two receptors, D-type prostanoid (DP) and, in particular, chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2), is less well defined. We investigated DP and CRTH2 expression and function during human and murine ulcerative colitis (UC). Expression of receptors was measured by flow cytometry on peripheral blood leukocytes and by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in colon biopsies of patients with active UC and healthy individuals. Receptor involvement in UC was evaluated in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium colitis. DP and CRTH2 expression changed in leukocytes of patients with active UC in a differential manner. In UC patients, DP showed higher expression in neutrophils but lower in monocytes as compared with control subjects. In contrast, CRTH2 was decreased in eosinophils, NK, and CD3+ T cells but not in monocytes and CD3+/CD4+ T cells. The decrease of CRTH2 on blood eosinophils clearly correlated with disease activity. DP correlated positively with disease activity in eosinophils but inversely in neutrophils. CRTH2 internalized upon treatment with PGD2 and 11-dehydro TXB2 in eosinophils of controls. Biopsies of UC patients revealed an increase of CRTH2-positive cells in the colonic mucosa and high CRTH2 protein content. The CRTH2 antagonist CAY10595 improved, whereas the DP antagonist MK0524 worsened inflammation in murine colitis. DP and CRTH2 play differential roles in UC. Although expression of CRTH2 on blood leukocytes is downregulated in UC, CRTH2 is present in colon tissue, where it may contribute to inflammation, whereas DP most likely promotes anti-inflammatory actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have a strong interest in dietary modifications as part of their therapeutic management, dietary advice plays only a minor part in published guidelines. The scientific literature shows that dietary factors might influence the risk of developing IBD, that dysbiosis induced by nutrition contributes to the pathogenesis of IBD, and that diet may serve as a symptomatic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in IBD. The role of nutrition in IBD is underscored by the effect of various dietary therapies. In paediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD) enteral nutrition (EN) reaches remission rates similar to steroids. In adult patients, however, EN is inferior to corticosteroids. EN is not effective in ulcerative colitis (UC). Total parenteral nutrition in IBD is not superior to steroids or EN. The use of specific probiotics in patients with IBD can be recommended only in special clinical situations. There is no evidence for efficacy of probiotics in CD. By contrast, studies in UC have shown a beneficial effect in selected patients. For patients with pouchitis, antibiotic treatment followed by probiotics, like VSL#3 or Lactobacillus GG, is effective. When probiotics are used, the risk of bacterial translocation and subsequent bacteremia has to be considered. More understanding of the normal intestinal microflora, and better characterization of probiotic strains at the phenotypic and genomic levels is needed as well as clarification of the mechanisms of action in different clinical settings. A FODMAP reduced diet may improve symptoms in IBD.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the most common mesenchymal tumor entity of the gastrointestinal tract. In fewer than 5% of cases, primary GISTs are located in the duodenum. Surgery represents the treatment of choice for localized tumor disease and remains challenging in GISTs located at the duodenum. The optimal surgical approach is currently discussed controversially in the literature due to the fact that extended resections in terms of pancreaticoduodenectomy may cause significant postoperative morbidity and mortality compared to limited resection. We report on a rare case of GIST located in the upper part of the duodenum treated by limited surgical resection. Avoidance of postoperative complications may lead to optimal oncological outcome in selected patients., (Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Proresolution functions were reported for PGD2 in colitis, but the role of its two receptors, D-type prostanoid (DP) and, in particular, chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2), is less well defined. We investigated DP and CRTH2 expression and function during human and murine ulcerative colitis (UC). Expression of receptors was measured by flow cytometry on peripheral blood leukocytes and by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in colon biopsies of patients with active UC and healthy individuals. Receptor involvement in UC was evaluated in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium colitis. DP and CRTH2 expression changed in leukocytes of patients with active UC in a differential manner. In UC patients, DP showed higher expression in neutrophils but lower in monocytes as compared with control subjects. In contrast, CRTH2 was decreased in eosinophils, NK, and CD3(+) T cells but not in monocytes and CD3(+)/CD4(+) T cells. The decrease of CRTH2 on blood eosinophils clearly correlated with disease activity. DP correlated positively with disease activity in eosinophils but inversely in neutrophils. CRTH2 internalized upon treatment with PGD2 and 11-dehydro TXB2 in eosinophils of controls. Biopsies of UC patients revealed an increase of CRTH2-positive cells in the colonic mucosa and high CRTH2 protein content. The CRTH2 antagonist CAY10595 improved, whereas the DP antagonist MK0524 worsened inflammation in murine colitis. DP and CRTH2 play differential roles in UC. Although expression of CRTH2 on blood leukocytes is downregulated in UC, CRTH2 is present in colon tissue, where it may contribute to inflammation, whereas DP most likely promotes anti-inflammatory actions., (Copyright © 2014 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

Background: In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), alterations of the intestinal microbiota, termed dysbiosis, have been postulated to contribute to intestinal inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used as effective therapy for recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis also caused by dysbiosis. The aims of the present study were to investigate if patients with UC benefit from FMT and if dysbiosis can be reversed., Methods: Six patients with chronic active UC nonresponsive to standard medical therapy were treated with FMT by colonoscopic administration. Changes in the colonic microbiota were assessed by 16S rDNA-based microbial community profiling using high-throughput pyrosequencing from mucosal and stool samples., Results: All patients experienced short-term clinical improvement within the first 2 weeks after FMT. However, none of the patients achieved clinical remission. Microbiota profiling showed differences in the modification of the intestinal microbiota between individual patients after FMT. In 3 patients, the colonic microbiota changed toward the donor microbiota; however, this did not correlate with clinical response. On phylum level, there was a significant reduction of Proteobacteria and an increase in Bacteroidetes after FMT., Conclusions: FMT by a single colonoscopic donor stool application is not effective in inducing remission in chronic active therapy-refractory UC. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota were significant and resulted in a partial improvement of UC-associated dysbiosis. The results suggest that dysbiosis in UC is at least in part a secondary phenomenon induced by inflammation and diarrhea rather than being causative for inflammation in this disease.

Background: The value of azathioprine metabolites (6-thioguanine nucleotides [6-TGN]) in monitoring clinical treatment response is still controversially discussed. Data regarding thiopurine metabolite levels and endoscopic improvement are lacking., Methods: Data were analyzed post hoc from a 1-year, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized trial comparing azathioprine 2.0 to 2.5 mg/kg per day versus mesalamine 4 g/d in a subset of 23 postoperative patients with Crohn's disease (CD) treated with azathioprine and having moderate-to-severe endoscopic recurrence according to a modified 6-grade score. Red blood cell (RBC) concentrations of 6-TGN, 6-methyl-mercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6-MMPR), and 6-methyl-thioguanine nucleotides (6-MTGN) were indicated as follows: area under the concentration-time curve, average concentration (C av), and concentration at the final study visit., Results: Overall, 74% of patients showed an improvement in the modified endoscopic score (P = 0.022). Median endoscopic score reduced from 4 at the baseline to 2 at the final visit. Patients with a high C av for 6-TGN (≥ 193 pmol/8 × 10(8) RBC; P = 0.017) or 6-MTGN (≥ 79.2 pmol/8 × 10(8) RBC; P = 0.035) significantly improved in endoscopic score, and the improvement in endoscopic score correlated with C av for 6-TGN (r = -0.51; P = 0.013). For concentration at the final visit, higher values for 6-TGN (≥ 142 pmol/8 × 10(8) RBC; P = 0.017) were associated with a better postoperative score. Sensitivity analysis revealed a significant correlation between 6-TGN (area under the concentration-time curve) and postoperative endoscopic improvement., Conclusions: Our post hoc analysis from a double-blind, randomized trial suggests that higher RBC 6-TGN levels are associated with endoscopic improvement in patients with severe postoperative endoscopic recurrence of CD. Thus, our study provides first evidence on the utility of monitoring of thiopurine metabolites to achieve mucosal response in CD.