Erschienen in:
26.12.2016 | Editorial
Enduring Value of Thiopurines for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy
verfasst von:
Burton I. Korelitz
Erschienen in:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|
Ausgabe 2/2017
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten
Excerpt
Prior to the advent of the use of infliximab and other biologics for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, the immunosuppressive drugs, azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), provided long-term remissions beyond that accomplished by sulfasalazine, 5-aminosalicylates, and corticosteroids [
1]. The response to these two thiopurines was neither marked nor rapid, but once accomplished was enduring. Since the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies (biologics) has been well substantiated, the rate of response faster, and the adverse reactions minimal, it was logical that they be favored for the initial therapy. What then should be the remaining utility of AZA and 6-MP? …