Study IDs Crohn's disease therapy

ROCHESTER, Minn., May 2 (UPI) -- Adalimumab -- sold as Humira -- works on Crohn's disease for those adults who fail on infliximab, sold as Remicade, say Mayo Clinic scientists in Minnesota.

A study of 325 subjects with the disorder who were treated with Humira or placebo, showed that after four weeks 21 percent of the Humira group were in complete remission and 52 percent noted an improvement in their symptoms.

In contrast, only 7 percent of the placebo group went into remission and just 34 percent had fewer symptoms.

The study was done at 52 centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe on patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease whose symptoms persisted on Remicade or who had developed an allergic reaction to the medication.

"Approximately 50 percent of Crohn's disease patients ... will eventually develop an allergic reaction (to Remicade), need higher doses, or stop responding to the therapy," said researcher William Sandborn. "This study demonstrates that, in the short term, Humira can be safely administered ... to these patients (for) a second chance at remission and a significant improvement in quality of life."

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that produces abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea. Currently there is no known cure.

A report on the research was published today in the online issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.