Efficacy of Infliximab Rescue Therapy in Hospitalized Patients with Steroid-Refractory Ulcerative Colitis: Single Center Experience

Background/Aims: In hospitalized patients with acute steroid-refractory UC, infliximab has been demonstrated to be one of the medical rescue therapies to avoid colectomy. We report the result of a retrospective observational study to find the efficacy and safety of infliximab as a rescue therapy in our hospital. Methods: Between January 2007 and January 2010, 9 hospitalized patients with steroid-refractory UC were selected to receive three infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg), at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated at 8 weeks after the first infliximab infusion and at the end of follow-up period. Adverse events related to infliximab rescue therapy were also collected. Results: Seven patients (77.8%) had completed 3 infusions of infliximab and achieved clinical response at 8 weeks after the first infliximab infusion. Clinical remission rate and the rate of mucosal healing at 8 weeks were 57.1% (4/7) and 71.4% (5/7), respectively. They were followed up for median time of 24.9 months (19.5-53.6 months). One patient underwent emergency colectomy at weeks 2, due to colon perforation, while another patient had discontinued infliximab treatment at weeks 4, because of Clostridium difficile-associated colitis. Finally, colectomy was avoided in 77.8% (7/9) of cases. There was no mortality. Conclusions: Rescue therapy with infliximab has sustained clinical benefit in 88.9% of our hospitalized patients with acute steroid-refractory UC. Future prospective and long-term follow-up trials with a large number of patients are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the treatment.