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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2011; 17(10): 1286-1291
Published online Mar 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i10.1286
Published online Mar 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i10.1286
Treatment of pediatric refractory Crohn’s disease with thalidomide
Cui-Fang Zheng, Jia-Hua Xu, Ying Huang, Ying-Kit Leung, Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
Author contributions: Huang Y and Leung YK designed the study; Zheng CF, Xu JH and Huang Y performed the majority of experiments; Zheng CF, Huang Y and Leung YK were involved in editing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ying Huang, Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, No. 399 Wan-Yuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China. yhuang815@163.com
Telephone: +86-21-64931727 Fax: +86-21-64931901
Received: November 18, 2010
Revised: December 16, 2010
Accepted: December 23, 2010
Published online: March 14, 2011
Revised: December 16, 2010
Accepted: December 23, 2010
Published online: March 14, 2011
Abstract
AIM: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of thalidomide in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD).
METHODS: Six patients with refractory CD received thalidomide at an initial dose of 2 mg/kg per day for one month, then increased to 3 mg/kg per day or decreased to 1 mg/kg per day, and again further reduced to 0.5 mg/kg per day, according to the individual patient’s response to the drug.
RESULTS: Remission was achieved within three months. Dramatic clinical improvement was demonstrated after thalidomide treatment. Endoscopic and pathological improvements were also observed after thalidomide treatment, which was well tolerated by all patients.
CONCLUSION: Thalidomide is a useful drug for pediatric refractory CD.