Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in the management of ulcerative colitis: authors’ reply

Abstract

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis in the management of ulcerative colitis: authors' reply SIRS, We thank Dr. Yamamoto for his interest in our article, 1 and for his letter regarding the role of granulocyte ⁄ monocyte adsorptive apheresis in the management of ulcerative colitis. 2 Although we agree with his general points regarding the possible benefit of granulocyte ⁄ monocyte adsorptive apheresis in ulcerative colitis, in terms of remission rates and corticosteroid-sparing effects, most of these were observed in Japanese patients. The only sham-controlled study conducted in a Western population, to date, failed to demonstrate any clear benefit of therapy. 3 We therefore feel that it is a little premature to speculate on the cost-effectiveness of this therapy in ulcerative colitis. As we stated in our article, what is actually required are convincing high-quality data that granulocyte ⁄ monocyte adsorptive apheresis is effective in Western patients with ulcerative colitis. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTDeclaration of personal interests: P. John Hamlin has participated in an advisory board for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Declaration of funding interests: None.