Therapeutic role of methotrexate in pediatric Crohn's disease

Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2018 Aug 1;18(3):211-216. doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2018.2792.

Abstract

The main role of therapy in Crohn's disease (CD) is to achieve long-term clinical remission, and to allow for normal growth and development of children. The immunomodulatory drugs used for the maintenance of remission in CD include thiopurines (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) and methotrexate (MTX). Development of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma in some patients with inflammatory bowel disease, treated with thiopurines only or in combination with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, resulted in a growing interest in the therapeutic application of MTX in children suffering from CD. This review summarizes the literature on the therapeutic role of MTX in children with CD. MTX is often administered as a second-line immunomodulator, and 1-year clinical remission was reported in 25-69% of children with CD after excluding for the use of thiopurines. Initial data on MTX effectiveness in mucosal healing, and as a first-line immunomodulator in pediatric patients with CD, are promising. A definite conclusion, however, may only be made on the basis of additional research with a larger number of subjects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Mercaptopurine / therapeutic use
  • Methotrexate / pharmacology
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Patient Safety
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Azathioprine
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • Pediatric Crohn's disease