Anna Kohn

Bio: Anna Kohn is an academic researcher from Università Campus Bio-Medico. The author has contributed to research in topics: Infliximab & Crohn's disease. The author has an hindex of 31, co-authored 79 publications receiving 3094 citations.

Integrative epigenome-wide analysis demonstrates that DNA methylation may mediate genetic risk in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract: Epigenetic alterations may provide important insights into gene-environment interaction in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here we observe epigenome-wide DNA methylation differences in 240 newly- ...

Infliximab in severe ulcerative colitis: short-term results of different infusion regimens and long-term follow-up

Abstract: Background Severe ulcerative colitis is a life-threatening disorder, despite i.v. glucocorticoids treatment. Infliximab has been proposed as a safe rescue therapy. Aim To evaluate short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of infliximab in severe refractory ulcerative colitis. Methods Eighty-three patients with severe ulcerative colitis (i.v. glucocorticoids treatment-refractory) were treated with infliximab in 10 Italian Gastroenterology Units. Patients underwent one or more infusions according to the choice of treating physicians. Short-term outcome was colectomy/death 2 months after the first infusion. Long-term outcome was survival free from colectomy. Safety data were recorded. Results Twelve patients (15%) underwent colectomy within 2 months. One died of Legionella pneumophila infection 12 days after infliximab. Early colectomy rates were higher in patients receiving one infusion (9/26), compared with those receiving two/more infusions (3/57, P = 0.001, OR = 9.53). Seventy patients who survived colectomy and did not experience any fatal complications were followed-up for a median time of 23 months; 58 patients avoided colectomy during the follow-up. Forty-two patients were maintained on immunosuppressive drugs. No clinical features were associated with outcomes. Conclusions Infliximab is an effective and relatively safe therapy to avoid colectomy and maintain long-term remission for patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis. In the short term, two or more infusions seem to be more effective than one single infusion.

Cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract: Erroneous communication between the innate and adaptive immune systems through cytokines results in exaggerated or attenuated immune response. It is not known whether the pathologic immune response in inflammatory bowel disease has its origin in a dysbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine release or whether it is secondary in subsequence of a defective intestinal barrier or the destructive power of aggressive microbiota in the gut lumen.

The second European evidence-based Consensus on the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease: Current management

Abstract: This paper is the second in a series of three publications relating to the European evidence-based consensus on the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease and concerns the management of active disease, maintenance of medically induced remission and surgery. The aims and methods of the ECCO Consensus, as well as sections on diagnosis and classification are covered in the first paper [van Assche et al. JCC 2009a]. The final paper covers post-operative recurrence, fistulating disease, the management of paediatric and adolescent IBD, pregnancy, psychosomatics, extraintestinal manifestations and complementary or alternative therapy for Crohn's disease [Van Assche et al JCC 2009b]. #### Principal changes with respect to the 2006 ECCO guidelines The early use of azathioprine/mercaptopurine or methotrexate in combination with steroids is an appropriate option in moderately active localised ileocaecal CD. Anti-TNF therapy should be considered as an alternative for patients with objective evidence of active disease who have previously been steroid-refractory, steroid-dependent, or steroid-intolerant (based on Statement 5B). For those patients with severely active localised ileocaecal Crohn's disease and objective evidence of active disease who have relapsed, anti-TNF therapy with or without an immunomodulator is an appropriate option [EL1a, RG B for infliximab]. For some patients who have infrequently relapsing disease, restarting steroids with an immunomodulator may be appropriate (based on Statement 5C). All currently available anti-TNF therapies appear to have generally similar efficacy and adverse-event profiles for inflammatory (‘luminal’) Crohn's disease, so the choice depends on availability, route of delivery, patient preference, cost and national guidelines \[EL5, RG D\] (Statement 5I). Patients receiving azathioprine or mercaptopurine who relapse should be evaluated for adherence to therapy and have their dose optimised. Changing their maintenance therapy to methotrexate [EL1b RG B] or anti-TNF therapy [EL1a RGB] should be considered. Surgery should always be considered as an option in localised disease [EL4, …