Thalidomide Shows Promise in Children with Refractory Crohn Disease

An 8-week course, followed by maintenance thalidomide, induced clinical remission in 65% of patients.

Crohn disease (CD) during childhood often requires extensive immunosuppressive therapy. In a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial, researchers examined the effectiveness of oral thalidomide in 56 children (age range, 2–18 years) with refractory CD despite immunotherapy.

After 8 weeks, 46% of thalidomide recipients reached clinical remission versus 11% of placebo recipients (relative risk, 4.0; number needed to treat, 3). In addition, CD acuity index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, body weight, and global clinical assessment scores were significantly better in the thalidomide group at 8 weeks. Of 21 placebo nonresponders who crossed over to open-label thalidomide, 11 (52%) reached remission after 8 weeks of therapy, resulting in…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Thalidomide Shows Promise in Children with Refractory Crohn Disease

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Reviewing Author