Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of CCR9-targeted Leukapheresis Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis Patients
Journal article, 2017

Background and Aims: Ulcerative colitis patients display increased numbers of circulating pro-inflammatory monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR [HLA-DRhi] monocytes expressing high levels of the gut-homing C-C chemokine receptor 9 [CCR9] and tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha. The aim of this first-in-human, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate selective removal of circulating CCR9-expressing monocytes by leukapheresis in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, with regards to safety, tolerability, and immunological response. Methods: Patients with ulcerative colitis were treated every second day with leukapheresis during five sessions with a C-C chemokine ligand 25 [CCL25; CCR9 ligand] column or a placebo column. Results: No major safety concerns were raised and the procedure was well tolerated. Pro-inflammatory HLA-DRhi cells decreased significantly in the active treatment group [p = 0.0391] whereas no statistically significant change was seen in the placebo group [p = 0.4688]. There was a significant decrease of HLA-DRhi monocytes in the active group compared with the placebo group when corrected for the imbalance in weight between the groups [p = 0.0105]. Mayo score decreased in the active group [p = 0.0156] whereas the change in the placebo group was not significant [p = 0.1250]. Mayo score = 3 was observed in five out of 14 patients [35.7%] in the active group compared with one out of eight [12.5%] receiving placebo. The number of responders in the active treatment group was eight out of 14 patients [57.1%], whereas in the corresponding placebo group three out of eight patients [37.5%] responded to placebo. A dose-response correlation was observed between the blood volume processed and clinical outcome. Conclusion: This clinical induction trial using CCL25-tailored leukapheresis demonstrates a safe and effective removal of activated monocytes with a clinical effect in patients with ulcerative colitis.

chemokine receptor 9

leukapheresis

Ulcerative colitis

Author

M. Eberhardson

P. Karlen

L. Linton

P. Jones

A. Lindberg

M. J. Kostalla

E. Lindh

Anders Odén

Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences

University of Gothenburg

H. Glise

O. Winqvist

Journal of Crohns and Colitis

1873-9946 (ISSN) 18764479 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 5 534-542

Subject Categories

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

DOI

10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw196

PubMed

28453759

More information

Created

10/8/2017