Abbott Crohn’s treatment ‘shows positive results’

Crohn’s patients who took Humira (adalimumab) achieved long-term remission from their symptoms and demonstrated clinical response, two Abbott studies suggests.

Data from the Charm and Gain studies was presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference, the largest international gathering of those working in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

Patients from Charm were observed for a total of two years and patients from the four-week Gain study were observed for a total of one.

In Charm, 77 per cent of adult patients who were in remission at the end of year one remained in remission for an additional year, while 65 per cent of Gain patients with a clinical response at four weeks remained in clinical response and 40 per cent were in clinical remission for a year.

Study author Remo Panaccione noted the disease is a lifelong condition and a cure has not been found.

“In this study, many patients taking Humira during a lengthened treatment period showed clinical response and remission, which translates into improvement of disease symptoms,” he added.

According to NHS figures, about 1 in 1,500 people have Crohn’s disease, which affects slightly more women than men.