부산대학교 도서관

Background Therapy targeted at tumour necrosis factor-α has an established role in Crohn’s disease. Lenalidomide, an analogue of thalidomide, is an oral immunomodulatory agent with powerful antitumour necrosis factor-α properties. It is licensed for myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. Based upon reports of thalidomide efficacy, lenalidomide was evaluated in Crohn’s disease. Aim To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide in subjects with moderately severe active Crohn’s disease. Methods In a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study 89 subjects were randomized to lenalidomide 25 mg daily, 5 mg daily or placebo. Subjects were treated for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a 70-point reduction in Crohn’s Disease Activity Index. Results The overall clinical response rate was not significantly different between the three groups: lenalidomide 25 mg 26%, lenalidomide 5 mg 48% and placebo 39%. Lenalidomide was generally well tolerated with only one serious adverse event, a deep vein thrombosis, being attributed to treatment. Conclusion Lenalidomide, an oral agent with antitumour necrosis factor-α properties, was not effective in active Crohn’s disease in contrast to reports of benefit from thalidomide. The reasons for this lack of efficacy are speculative, other physiological activities may offset its action on inflammatory cytokines, or its antitumour necrosis factor-α action without apoptosis may be insufficient for activity in Crohn’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]