Extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of Crohn's disease

摘要

Small, open-label studies show promising results for ECP in the treatment of steroiddependent and medically-refractory Crohn's disease. However, proper randomized, shamcontrolled trials have not yet been performed. Based on the proposed mechanism of action of ECP, induction of a tolerogenic T cell response, ECP should be assessed in patients with early inflammatory disease rather than those who have progressed to fibrotic or stricturing disease. Randomized, sham-controlled trials need to be performed before ECP can be incorporated into standard clinical practice for the treatment of Crohn's disease. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.