Adacolumn in Refractory UC Patients Trial

The objectives of the study are to observe and document the efficacy and safety of 5 or more Adacolumn treatments, administered once weekly over 5 or more weeks, in a specific subset of ulcerative colitis patients. The patient subset of interest is those with moderate/severe, steroid-dependent, active ulcerative colitis with insufficient response or intolerance to immunosuppressants and/or biological agents.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients enrolled into the study will be between 18 and 75 years old and have moderate to severe, steroid-dependent, active ulcerative colitis documented by clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings and histology. Patients will have an ulcerative colitis clinical activity (CAI) of ≥6 and an endoscopic activity index (EAI) of ≥4. Patients will have an insufficient response or intolerance to immunosuppressants and/or biological treatment agents. Patients are required to have adequate peripheral venous access to allow completion of apheresis treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

- A patient will be excluded from the study if he/she meets any of the following criteria:

1. Is febrile (body temperature \>38ºC).
2. Has evidence of toxic megacolon.
3. Has known obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal system.
4. Is anticipated to need surgery within the next 24 weeks.
5. Has a history of hypersensitivity reaction associated with an apheresis procedure or an intolerance to apheresis procedures.
6. Has proctocolectomy, total colectomy, ileostomy, stoma or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.
7. Has a history of allergic reaction to heparin or of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
8. Has a known infection with enteric pathogens, pathogenic ova or parasites, or a positive test for cytomegalovirus.
9. Has symptomatic hypotension.
10. Has a history of physical findings consistent with a cerebrovascular accident.
11. Has a history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within the previous 6 months.
12. Has undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery or angioplasty within the previous 6 months.
13. Has congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV).
14. Has a prosthetic heart valve, pacemaker or other permanent implant.
15. Has severe cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease.
16. Has liver disease defined as levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT) or alkaline phosphatase of greater than 2.5 × the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test.
17. Has a history of cirrhosis.
18. Has a known bleeding disorder (prothrombin time \[PT\] or partial thromboplastin time \[PTT\] greater than 1.5 × the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test) or requires concomitant anticoagulant therapy for purposes other than apheresis treatment.
19. Has a prior history suggestive of a hypercoagulable disorder, including 1 or more episodes of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.
20. Has a known infection with hepatitis B or C or human immunodeficiency virus.
21. Has abnormal haematology parameters defined as severe anaemia with haemoglobin \<8.5 g/dL, white blood cell count \<3500/µL or granulocyte count \<2000/µL.
22. Has a fibrinogen level \>700 mg/dL.
23. Has renal insufficiency, defined as a serum creatinine level greater than 150% of the upper limit of the normal range for the laboratory performing the test.
24. Has had major surgery within the previous 6 weeks.
25. Has any of the following types of infection:

    * An active infection within 4 weeks of successful completion of antibiotic treatment for a bacterial infection.
    * Febrile viral infection within the 4 weeks prior to entry into the study.
    * Systemic fungal infection that required therapy which was completed within the 12 weeks prior to entry into the study.
26. Current drug or alcohol abuse.
27. Is pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study.
28. Has used an investigational medicinal product, biologic agent or device within the last 30 days.
29. Adults lacking capacity who are unable to give consent by themselves due to physical and or mental incapacity.
30. Prisoners and patients who have undergone psychiatric treatment.