Long-term treatment with autologous red blood cells loaded with dexamethasone 21-phosphate in pediatric patients affected by steroid-dependent Crohn disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present in childhood in 15% to 25% of cases. The aim of therapy in children is not only to guarantee normal growth but also to prevent relapse and to maintain remission. Steroids are effective to induce remission; however, resistance, dependency, and irreversible side effects can develop.

Low doses of dexamethasone constantly delivered by autologous erythrocytes slow the progression of lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the administration of low doses of glucocorticoids in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) by using autologous erythrocytes loaded with dexamethasone 21-phosphate.

Study Design: Nine consecutive CF patients (patients nos. 1-9) received autologous erythrocytes loaded with increasing amounts of dexamethasone 21-phosphate to obtain a slow delivery of dexamethasone in circulation.