BACKGROUND: Tumour @entity39 factor-alpha ( @entity310 ) plays an important role in the pathology of @entity30 . Infliximab, a chimeric antibody against @entity310 , has been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effective in two-thirds of @entity1 with refractory or fistulating @entity30 . The factors that determine a clinical response in some @entity1 but not others are unknown. AIMS: To document the early Australian experience with infliximab treatment for @entity30 and to identify factors that may determine a beneficial clinical response. METHODS: Gastroenterologists known to have used infliximab for @entity30 according to a compassionate use protocol were asked to complete a spreadsheet that included demographic information, @entity30 site, severity, other medical or surgical treatments and a global clinical assessment of @entity30 outcome, judged by participating physicians as complete and sustained (remission for the duration of the study), complete but unsustained (remission at 4 weeks but not for the whole study) or partial clinical improvement (sustained or unsustained). RESULTS: Fifty-seven @entity1 were able to be evaluated, with a median follow-up time of 16.4 (4-70) weeks, including 23 @entity1 with fistulae. There were 21 adverse events, including four serious events. Fifty-one @entity1 (89%) had a positive clinical response for a median duration (range) of 11 (2-70) weeks. Thirty @entity1 (52%) had a remission at 4 weeks, 10 of whom had remission for longer than 12 weeks. Forty-two per cent of fistulae closed. Sustained remission (P = 0.065), remission at 4 weeks (P = 0.033) and a positive clinical response of any sort (P = 0.004) were more likely in @entity1 on immunosuppressive therapy, despite there being more smokers in this group. CONCLUSION: This review of the first Australian experience with infliximab corroborates the reported speed and efficacy of this treatment for @entity30 . The excellent response appears enhanced by the concomitant use of conventional @entity134 -sparing immunosuppressive therapy.

Early Australian experience with infliximab, a chimeric antibody against tumour XXXX factor-alpha, in the treatment of @entity30 : is its efficacy augmented by @entity134 -sparing immunosuppressive therapy? The Infliximab User Group.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity39 :: ('MESH:D009336', 'Disease') :: ['necrosis'] @entity310 :: ('7124', 'Gene') :: ['TNF-alpha'] @entity134 :: ('CHEBI:35341', 'Chemical') :: ['steroid'] @entity30 :: ('MESH:D003424', 'Disease') :: ["Crohn's disease"]
@entity39 :: (MESH:D009336,Disease) :: ['necrosis']
