Is reduction from adalimumab 80mg to 40mg sufficient for maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease?

Introduction: The human monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody adalimumab (Humira, Abbott Laboratories Chicago) has become a promising treatment option in refractory Crohn's disease. In a recently published study (Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007; 25:787–96), we induced remission with 160mg adalimumab subcutaneously in week 0 and maintained remission with 80mg every other week (eow) in 10 of 16 patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease intolerant or refractory to infliximab. Since 40mg adalimumab eow has been approved as maintenance therapy in refractory Crohn's disease in the U.S., our aim was to evaluate, if a reduc…