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Biomedical subjects

L Lemmens

Publications and source records attributed to L Lemmens.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Treatment of active Crohn's disease with onercept (recombinant human soluble p55 tumour necrosis factor receptor): results of a randomized, open-label, pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies to the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha have shown efficacy in treating Crohn's disease, but can be immunogenic. Soluble tumour necrosis factor-binding proteins are being studied as potential alternative anti-tumour necrosis factor agents in Crohn's disease. AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of onercept, a recombinant form of the natural human soluble p55 tumour necrosis factor receptor, in the treatment of patients with active Crohn's disease. METHODS: In a pilot study, 12 patients with active Crohn's disease were randomized to receive onercept at either 11.7 or 50 mg three times weekly for 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for 6 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The Crohn's disease activity index decreased rapidly during treatment in both groups. Seven responses (Crohn's disease activity index decrease of 100 points) were observed over the first 6 weeks of the study, including five remissions (Crohn's disease activity index decrease of 150 points). Improvement was sustained for 2-4 months after stopping treatment. Treatment was well tolerated. No patients developed antibodies to onercept. CONCLUSIONS: Neutralizing the activity of tumour necrosis factor-alpha with its soluble p55 receptor may be valuable in the treatment of patients with Crohn's disease. Larger placebo-controlled trials are indicated.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2001

Intravenous cyclosporine versus intravenous corticosteroids as single therapy for severe attacks of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cyclosporine has been effective in patients with steroid-refractory attacks of ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated the effects of intravenous (IV) cyclosporine as single IV therapy (without glucocorticosteroids) for severe UC and compared these with the response to glucocorticosteroids. METHODS: Patients with a severe attack of UC were randomized to treatment with IV cyclosporine, 4 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), or with methylprednisolone, 40 mg/day, in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. After 8 days, patients who had a response received the same medication orally in combination with azathioprine. Patients were followed up clinically, endoscopically, and by scintigraphy. Renal function was assessed using urinary inulin clearances. Endpoints were clinical improvement, discharge from the hospital, and remission up to 12 months after intravenous therapy. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. After 8 days, 8 of 15 patients (53%) who received methylprednisolone had a response to therapy vs. 9 of 14 (64%) receiving cyclosporine. In nonresponders, 3 of 7 methylprednisolone patients and 1 of 3 cyclosporine patients improved when both treatments were combined. No serious drug-related toxicity was observed with either treatment. At 12 months, 7 of 9 patients (78%) initially controlled with cyclosporine maintained their remission vs. 3 of 8 (37%) initially treated with methylprednisolone. No clinically significant decrease of renal function was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine monotherapy is an effective and safe alternative to glucocorticosteroids in patients with severe attacks of UC.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Etanercept in the treatment of active refractory Crohn's disease: a single-center pilot trial.

OBJECTIVES: Etanercept, an injectable tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor fusion protein, binds and inactivates human TNF and is used in active rheumatoid arthritis. Blocking TNF with monoclonal antibodies has also been beneficial in Crohn's disease. We attempted to determine the efficacy and safety of etanercept for induction of clinical, endoscopic, and histological improvement in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease despite standard treatment. METHODS: Ten patients with active Crohn's disease were treated with etanercept (25 mg s.c.) twice per week for 12 wk. Background therapy was kept stable during the trial. Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, and C-reactive protein levels were measured at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Colonoscopies were performed before and after therapy in responders; endoscopic biopsies were scored for inflammation. RESULTS: At week 2 after the start, a clinical response (deltaCDAI > or = 70) was observed in 6/10 patients (median = 305 [294-418] to 166 [107-392]), with reduction in serum C-reactive protein levels (median = 17.2 [6.8-67.2] to 9.1 [0.9-17.2] mg/dl). Colonoscopies showed a reduction in inflammatory lesions in the four patients who attained remission (CDAI < 150), whereas the inflammatory score of the biopsies did not decrease significantly. No moderate or severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept may be effective in Crohn's disease refractory to standard therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone.

The CT and MRI findings in a case of chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone are reported. Although chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor, only 10 % of chondrosarcomas occur in the head and neck region. The hyoid bone is a rare site of involvement with only seven cases reported previously.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Minimum Excess Weight Required for Obesity Surgery: how far can we go?

The classical indication for obesity surgery, in terms of excess weight, included only patients with an excess weight of 100% or 45 kg. This review challenges this classic indication. Sixty-four out of 170 patients treated with a biliopancreatic diversion had an excess weight below 80%. The specific weight-related complications, reoperations and results are compared with patients above 80% excess weight. The different groups are comparable in complications and results.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

The influence of dihydroxyanthracene derivatives on water and electrolyte movement in rat colon.

The purgative activities of 18 different dihydroxyanthracene derivatives, including free anthraquinones and anthrones, were investigated by determining their influence on the water, sodium and potassium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract by direct injection of the solutions in Tyrode to the rat colon in situ. The extent of the solubility of the compounds has also been assessed. The 1,8-dihydroxyanthracene structure seemed to be the best for hydragogue effect. Rhein-anthraquinone and -anthrone were the most active compounds tested.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Giant diverticulum of the colon: report of two new cases and review of the literature.

Diverticulosis coli affects more than one in three individuals older than 65 in the Western world. Giant diverticulum of the colon is an extremely rare complication of diverticular disease; only 113 cases, mostly situated in the colon sigmoideum, have been reported in the world literature. Two new cases of giant diverticulum of the colon sigmoideum, with totally different clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management, are reported-one being the cause of chronic anemia and the other presenting as an acute abdomen. Based on a review of the literature, an update on symptomatology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapeutical options of this rare disorder is provided.

Aged↗