VSL#3 Versus Placebo in Maintenance of Remission in Crohn's Disease

Summary

The primary objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of the probiotic VSL#3 versus placebo, in addition to standard maintenance drugs, in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease (CD). The secondary objectives are: * To determine the time till flare of CD patients on VSL#3 compared to placebo. * To assess whether concurrent therapy with VSL#3 leads to an improvement in the quality of life (QOL). * To assess whether concurrent therapy with VSL#3 reduces the severity of a flare if it occurs.

Timeline

Start

2005-06

Primary completion

2008-12

Completion

2008-12

Publications

• Background Rachmilewitz D, Katakura K, Karmeli F, Hayashi T, Reinus C, Rudensky B, Akira S, Takeda K, Lee J, Takabayashi K, Raz E. Toll-like receptor 9 signaling mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics in murine experimental colitis. Gastroenterology. 2004 Feb;126(2):520-8. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2003.11.019.
• Background Gionchetti P, Rizzello F, Helwig U, Venturi A, Lammers KM, Brigidi P, Vitali B, Poggioli G, Miglioli M, Campieri M. Prophylaxis of pouchitis onset with probiotic therapy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Gastroenterology. 2003 May;124(5):1202-9. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(03)00171-9.
• Background Gionchetti P, Amadini C, Rizzello F, Venturi A, Poggioli G, Campieri M. Diagnosis and treatment of pouchitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Feb;17(1):75-87. doi: 10.1053/bega.2002.0348.
• Background Gionchetti P, Amadini C, Rizzello F, Venturi A, Campieri M. Review article: treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and pouchitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Jul;16 Suppl 4:13-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.16.s4.3.x.
• Background Secondulfo M, de Magistris L, Fiandra R, Caserta L, Belletta M, Tartaglione MT, Riegler G, Biagi F, Corazza GR, Carratu R. Intestinal permeability in Crohn's disease patients and their first degree relatives. Dig Liver Dis. 2001 Nov;33(8):680-5. doi: 10.1016/s1590-8658(01)80045-1.

Drugs

Indications