Approval for the use of Remicade (infliximab) in Crohn’s disease has been extended to include moderately active disease.
The licence extension is based on the results of the double-blind SONIC study. Investigators randomised 508 adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease to receive infliximab, azathioprine, or infliximab plus azathioprine.
After 26 weeks, the rate of corticosteroid-free clinical remission was higher among the patients who received infliximab (44.4%) or combination therapy (56.8%) than among those who were given azathioprine only (30.0%; p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). Rates of mucosal healing were also significantly greater in the 2 infliximab groups than in the azathioprine-only group.
Dosing of infliximab in moderate Crohn’s disease is the same as for severe disease.
Further Information: Schering-Plough
