Current Therapeutic Apheresis Technologies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

A large number of physicians have indicated that patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) respond to current apheresis technology treatment. However, the mechanism of the apheresis procedure is undefined for patients with IBD. IBD appears to be caused by a complex of interactions from the genes, environment, and the immune system; therefore, the immune system plays a crucial role in the inflammatory responses. In this process, lots of interactions occur simultaneously, and they cross relate with each other. This review paper briefly discusses the etiology and pathogenesis of IBD and attempts to elucidate the mechanism that occurs after apheresis treatment.

Granulocytapheresis versus methylprednisolone in patients with acute ulcerative colitis: 12‐month follow up

“…In recent years, considering the above‐mentioned role of inflammatory processes with involvement of the immune system in UC, some trials have suggested that granulocytapheresis (GCAP) could be a useful and safe way to induce clinical remission in patients with UC. This new therapy has usually been evaluated only in patients who are ‘non‐responders’ to conventional steroid therapy, often without a control group and with short follow‐up periods 16–20 . So, the immediate and long‐term effects of GCAP in acute UC have not been ascertained 21–25 …”

“…This new therapy has usually been evaluated only in patients who are 'non-responders' to conventional steroid therapy, often without a control group and with short follow-up periods. [16][17][18][19][20] So, the immediate and long-term effects of GCAP in acute UC have not been ascertained. [21][22][23][24][25] The aims of the present trial are therefore not only to confirm the immediate efficacy of GCAP in patients with acute UC, but also to evaluate its usefulness in subsequent months by means of a longer follow up (12 months).…”