A recent report highlights the use of anti-TNF therapy (eg. infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab [ADA])  for eosinophilic enterocolitis/eosinophilic gastroenteritis in eight patients who had not responded to other treatments (JPGN 2013; 56: 492-97).

The mean age of these patients was 8 years with a range of 1 to 14 years.  Prior to use of IFX therapy, multiple therapies had been used.  Four patients had been treated with complete elemental diet; medications that were used included montelukast, hydroxyzine, sodium cromogylcate, budesonide, amitriptyline, prednisone, ketotifen, cyproheptadine, thiopurines, and methotrexate (Table 1 in study).

Complete clinical remission was noted to occur in 6 (75%) with IFX induction treatment; this was associated with mucosal healing in 3, mucosal improvement in 2, and unknown in 1 patient.

The six responders were followed for a median of 7 years.  During that timeframe, four of six had secondary loss of response and were switched to ADA.  Three of these four maintained a clinical response with ADA using high doses (80 mg EOW).

Additional References:

• -Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011; 9: 950.  40% of Eosinophili gastroenteritis resolved.
• -JPGN 2010; 51: 723. n=91.  Incidental gastric eosinophils does not predict a worse response to fluticasone then isolated EoE.
• -NEJM 2009; 361: 1387.  Description of a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
• -Gut 2009; 58: 721-32. Review of primary Eos d/o of GI tract.
• -JPGN 2008; 47: 234-8.  EGIDs.