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Biological therapy for pyoderma gangrenosum

Terapia biológica no tratamento do pioderma gangrenoso

Abstracts

INTRODUCTION:

pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare and severe neutrophilic dermatosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and hematological malignancies. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and exclusion of other skin disorders. There is no gold standard for the treatment of PG; traditionally intravenous corticosteroids are used, but recently the use of drugs that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has changed the management of PG, showing great effectiveness.

CASE REPORT:

female patient, 23 years old, diagnosed with severe nonspecific ulcerative colitis (UC) three years ago, undergoing treatment with oral mesalamine and azathioprine. She developed PG fourteen days after hospital discharge; hospitalization was due to worsening of intestinal disease symptoms. She was successfully treated using biological therapy after unfavorable evolution with corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION:

PG, a rare extraintestinal manifestation of IBD of difficult resolution that has significant impact on patient quality of life. The use of biological therapy for PG has higher efficacy in the treatment of patients decreasing wound healing time and return to daily activities.

Inflammatory bowel disease; Pyoderma gangrenosum; Ulcerative colitis


INTRODUÇÃO:

pioderma gangrenoso (PG) é uma rara e grave dermatose neutrofílica associada a doença inflamatória intestinal (DII) e a outras doenças sistêmicas como a artrite reumatoide e neoplasias hematológicas. O diagnóstico é baseado em critérios clínicos e exclusão de outras desordens da pele. Ainda não há padrão ouro para o tratamento do PG, tradicionalmente usa-se corticoides endovenosos, porém recentemente o uso de fármacos inibidores do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-alfa) tem mudado o manejo do PG mostrando grande efetividade.

RELATO DO CASO:

paciente feminina, 23 anos, com diagnóstico de retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica (RCUI) severa há três anos, em tratamento com mesalazina oral e azatioprina. Evoluiu apresentando PG quatorze dias após alta hospitalar, por internamento devido agudização dos sintomas intestinais da doença. Foi tratada com sucesso usando terapia biológica após evolução desfavorável com corticoide.

CONCLUSÃO:

PG, uma rara manifestação extraintestinal das DII, é de difícil resolução e com significante interferência na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O uso de terapia biológica no PG vem mostrando melhor eficácia no tratamento desses doentes com diminuição do tempo de cicatrização das feridas e retorno às atividades diárias.

Doença inflamatória intestinal; Pioderma gangrenoso; Retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica


Introduction

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis in which painful nodules and later pustules, due to subsequent necrosis of the dermis, open up to form irregular and painful, with a granular base, commonly with purplish and undermined borders.1 The lesions have distinctively an exudative, mucopurulent content, often sterile and eventually hemorrhagic.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. - 22. Callen JP. Pyodermagangrenosum. Lancet 1998; 351:581-585.

The lesions can be single or multiple, can appear in the site of prior trauma, but generally they affect the skin surrounding stomata and the extensor surface of the lower limbs and so they may be found in any part of the body. The anatomopathological analysis shows evidence of nonspecific neutrophilic dermatosis, however it has to be performed since PG diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and exclusion of other skin disorders.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33.

2. Callen JP. Pyodermagangrenosum. Lancet 1998; 351:581-585.
- 33. Regueiro M, Valentine J, Plevy S, Fleisher MR, Lichtenstein GR. Infliximab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2003; 98: 1821-1826.

This severe dermatosis appears in 1% to 2% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its correlation with disease activity, although it seems to coincide with the intestinal disease exacerbation, especially in the colon, is still controversial as it also occurs independently. PG seems to be more common in ulcerative colitis (UC) than in Crohn's disease (CD), occurring in approximately 5% of UC patients and just in 2% of those with CD.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. , 44. Veloso RV. Review article: skin complications associated with inflamatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004; 20 (suppl. 4): 50-3.

5. Yuksel I, Basar O, Ataseven H, Ertugrul I, Arhan M, Ibis M, et al. N. Mucocutaneous manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis; 2009; 15 (4): 546-50.
- 66. Mir-Madjlessi SH, Taylor JS, Farmer RG. Clinical course and evolution of erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum in chronic ulcerative colitis: A study of 42 patients. Am J Gastroenterol 1985; 80(8): 615-20. This dermatosis is also described in association to other systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hematological malignancies and solid tumors, as well as in the idiopathic form.77. Bennett ML, Jackson JM, Jorizzo JL, Fleischer AB Jr, White WL, Callen JP. Pyoderma gangrenosum: a comparison of typical and atypical forms with an emphasis on time to remission. Case review of 86 patients from 2 institutions. Medicine (Baltimore) 2000; 79:37-46. - 88. Hasselmann DO, Bens G, Tilgen W, Reichrath J. Pyoderma gangrenosum: clinical presentation and outcome in 18 cases and review of the literature. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007;5:560- 564.

There is no gold standard for the treatment of PG and there is no evidence that show different results of treatment effectiveness when it is intended for patients with or without IBD.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. In general, immunosuppression is the mainstay of PG treatment and intravenous corticosteroids have traditionally been the first-line treatment.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. Recently, the use of inhibitors of TNF-alpha has changed the management of PG in UC, showing significant effectiveness.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33.

In the present study we report a rare case of PG as extraintestinal manifestation of UC, successfully treated using biological therapy after unfavorable evolution with corticosteroids.

Case Report

Female patient, 23 years old, Brazilian mulatto, a resident in the city of Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, diagnosed with severe UC three years ago with involvement of the entire colon. She had been treated with oral mesalamine 4 g/day since diagnosis and had also been using azathioprine 2.5 mg/kg/day for the past year. She had a history of recurrent hospitalizations due to disease exacerbation, routinely treated with antibiotics and intravenous corticosteroids, followed by weaning and outpatient follow-up. She denied any extraintestinal manifestation of UC.

She sought treatment at the ER complaining of a nonmonitored fever, malaise, myalgia and multiple painful sores all over her body when she was hospitalized. She reported at the time of hospital admission, a previous 14 days hospitalization due to the recent exacerbation of UC intestinal symptoms. At physical examination ulcers with undermined edges were observed with serosanguineous fluid and painful purplish pustules distributed over legs, ankles, and face (Fig. 1). She denied any gastrointestinal symptoms at admission. Laboratory assessment showed: mild anemia, absence of leukocytosis and elevated CRP (23.1 mg/dL). The patient declared that she had noticed the presence of small pustular lesions on the lower limbs and at previous venous puncture sites at the time of her last hospital discharge, but lent no importance to it.

Fig. 1
Before starting treatment with IFX. Notice ulcers with undermined edges and necro hemorrhagic background.

After admission, therapy with hydrocortisone 300 mg/day was promptly initiated, along with intravenous analgesics, and local care of the wounds with isotonic solution. Without significant response and with intense pain, on the third day of hospitalization it was decided to initiate biological therapy using Infliximab (IFX) at a dose of 5 mg/kg. After the first infusion, at week 0, it was noted a significant decrease of the local inflammatory activity and the patient also reported an important decrease in localized pain. After the second infusion, at week 2, the lesions decreased in size and the epithelialization process could be noticed. After the third infusion at week 6, the lesions showed almost complete re-epithelialization (Fig. 2) and after the fourth infusion at week 14, the lesions were at the advanced stages of healing with contraction of the edges (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
After the third infusion of IFX. Ulcer is at the end of granulation phase, still reddish in appearance, showing almost complete epithelialization.
Fig. 3
After the fourth infusion of IFX. Ulcer is shown at an advanced healing stage, with similar color to the surrounding skin, showing contraction of edges.

Even after completed treatment for PG, the patient continued using IFX regularly, which also resulted in a great impact on intestinal symptoms. Currently, she reports 1-2 daily episodes of bowel movement without mucus, pus or blood.

Discussion

Although the etiology of PG is partially unknown, the skin damage does seem to be immune-mediated.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. , 33. Regueiro M, Valentine J, Plevy S, Fleisher MR, Lichtenstein GR. Infliximab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2003; 98: 1821-1826. Neutrophil dysfunction, together with defects in chemotaxis or hyperreactivity have been suggested as possible causes.99. Su WP, Davis MD, Weening RH, Powell FC, Perry HO. Pyoderma gangrenosum: clinicopathologic correlation and proposed diagnostic criteria. Int J Dermatol 2004;43:790-800. The goal of treatment is the rapid resolution of the lesions, as they may result in severe skin deformities.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine present in patients with IBD and is reportedly expressed in skin samples from patients with PG; therefore, it is one of the key cytokines involved in this response, as it contributes to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the skin and increase the expression of adhesion molecules.1010. Krueger JG. The immunologic basis for the treatment of psoriasis with new biologic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol 2002; 46:1-23.

The safety, clinical effectiveness and capacity to reduce corticosteroid usage in patients with IBD undergoing therapy with IFX has been clearly proven by pivotal studies such as ACT 1, ACT 21111. Reinisch W, Sandborn WJ, Rutgeerts P, Feagan BG, Rachmilewitz D, Hanauer SB, et al. Long-term infliximab maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: the ACT-1 and -2 extension studies. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2012 Feb;18(2):201-11. and SONIC.1212. Colombel JF, Sandborn WJ, Reinisch W, Mantzaris GJ, Kornbluth A, Rachmilewitz D, et al. Infliximab, azathioprine, or combination therapy for Crohn's disease. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:1383-1395. However, although the effectiveness of IFX in PG lesions rapid healing has been described in recent case reports11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. , 1313. Tan MH, Gordon M, Lebwohl O, George J, Lebwohl MG. Improvement of pyoderma gangrenosum and psoriasis associated with Crohn disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody. Arch Dermatol 2001;137: 930-933.

14. Baglieri F, Scuderi G. Infliximab for treatment of resistant pyoderma gangrenosum associated with ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. A case report. Dermatol Ther 2010; 23: 541-543.
- 1515. Del Giacco SR, Firinu D, Lorrai MM, Serusi L, Meleddu R, Barca MP, et al. Idiopathic Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Successful Resolution with Infliximab Therapy and Proinflammatory Cytokines Assessment. Acta Derm Venereol 1992. studies comparing the efficacy of IFX with other immunosuppressive drugs are still lacking.11. Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33. The largest multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving IFX in the treatment of refractory PG included 30 patients, 19 of which had a diagnosis of IBD and 6 of UC. After 2 weeks, 46% of the IFX group showed improvement, in comparison to only 6% in the placebo group.1616. Brooklyn TN, Dunnill MG, Shetty A, Bowden JJ, Williams JD, Griffiths CE, et al. Infliximab for the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Gut 2006; 55: 505-509.

Supported by the idea that the rapid and dramatic improvement of skin lesions is caused by the crucial role that TNF-alpha plays in the pathogenesis of PG, and that biological drugs have been able to decrease the healing time of skin and mucosal lesions, thus allowing an earlier return to daily activities, it is reasoned that drugs that inhibit TNF-alpha may be a promising therapeutic strategy for PG in patients with UC, in which case they are being already used with significant efficacy.

References

  • 1
    Van Assche G, Dignass A, Bokemeyer B, Danese S, Gionchetti P, Moser G, et al. Second European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis part 3: special situations. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. J Crohns Colitis. 2013 Feb;7(1):1-33.
  • 2
    Callen JP. Pyodermagangrenosum. Lancet 1998; 351:581-585.
  • 3
    Regueiro M, Valentine J, Plevy S, Fleisher MR, Lichtenstein GR. Infliximab for treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2003; 98: 1821-1826.
  • 4
    Veloso RV. Review article: skin complications associated with inflamatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004; 20 (suppl. 4): 50-3.
  • 5
    Yuksel I, Basar O, Ataseven H, Ertugrul I, Arhan M, Ibis M, et al. N. Mucocutaneous manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis; 2009; 15 (4): 546-50.
  • 6
    Mir-Madjlessi SH, Taylor JS, Farmer RG. Clinical course and evolution of erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum in chronic ulcerative colitis: A study of 42 patients. Am J Gastroenterol 1985; 80(8): 615-20.
  • 7
    Bennett ML, Jackson JM, Jorizzo JL, Fleischer AB Jr, White WL, Callen JP. Pyoderma gangrenosum: a comparison of typical and atypical forms with an emphasis on time to remission. Case review of 86 patients from 2 institutions. Medicine (Baltimore) 2000; 79:37-46.
  • 8
    Hasselmann DO, Bens G, Tilgen W, Reichrath J. Pyoderma gangrenosum: clinical presentation and outcome in 18 cases and review of the literature. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2007;5:560- 564.
  • 9
    Su WP, Davis MD, Weening RH, Powell FC, Perry HO. Pyoderma gangrenosum: clinicopathologic correlation and proposed diagnostic criteria. Int J Dermatol 2004;43:790-800.
  • 10
    Krueger JG. The immunologic basis for the treatment of psoriasis with new biologic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol 2002; 46:1-23.
  • 11
    Reinisch W, Sandborn WJ, Rutgeerts P, Feagan BG, Rachmilewitz D, Hanauer SB, et al. Long-term infliximab maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: the ACT-1 and -2 extension studies. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2012 Feb;18(2):201-11.
  • 12
    Colombel JF, Sandborn WJ, Reinisch W, Mantzaris GJ, Kornbluth A, Rachmilewitz D, et al. Infliximab, azathioprine, or combination therapy for Crohn's disease. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:1383-1395.
  • 13
    Tan MH, Gordon M, Lebwohl O, George J, Lebwohl MG. Improvement of pyoderma gangrenosum and psoriasis associated with Crohn disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody. Arch Dermatol 2001;137: 930-933.
  • 14
    Baglieri F, Scuderi G. Infliximab for treatment of resistant pyoderma gangrenosum associated with ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. A case report. Dermatol Ther 2010; 23: 541-543.
  • 15
    Del Giacco SR, Firinu D, Lorrai MM, Serusi L, Meleddu R, Barca MP, et al. Idiopathic Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Successful Resolution with Infliximab Therapy and Proinflammatory Cytokines Assessment. Acta Derm Venereol 1992.
  • 16
    Brooklyn TN, Dunnill MG, Shetty A, Bowden JJ, Williams JD, Griffiths CE, et al. Infliximab for the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Gut 2006; 55: 505-509.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Nov-Dec 2013

History

  • Received
    11 June 2013
  • Accepted
    13 Aug 2013
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