2024-09-06 09:21:00
AIFA has approved the payment of Mirikizumab, a new drug for the treatment of ulcerative colitis
A new step towards improving the quality of life of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. L’Italian Pharmaceutical Company approve the return of mirikizumaba drug that targets one of the inflammatory pathways that are important in the development of the disease, offering relief from the initial symptoms. He is a news reporter Lillya pharmaceutical company that made its debut in the field of combating chronic intestinal diseases.
Miricizumab at the time it is only reimbursed the drug that affects theminterleukin-23protein responsible for inflammation that can cause ulcerative colitis. This pathology, which affects the internal level of the colon causing a high frequency of bowel movements, rectal bleeding and bowel movements, is developed by patients aged between 15 and 30 years. 25% of those with the disease are even under the age of 18. It is estimated that in Italy this form of colitis affects 160 thousand people, with 4 thousand new diagnoses every year.
Given the frequency and severity of symptoms, the impact on social and work life is notable. Precisely from here arises the need to develop and obtain a drug that reduces the discomforts associated with the disease.
“The symptoms are very difficult to talk about,” he said Except Leoevery secretary of FRIEND Italy and Chairman of European Federation of Chron’s & Ulcerative Colitis Association (EFCC) among the speakers at the press conference called by Lilly in Milan. “It is like traveling with a friend who is not very happy in the hope that he always sleeps. Those who suffer from ulcerative colitis have a social and work experience: according to a study carried out in 2023 on a sample of 1350 patients , six out of ten workers are forced to ask for leave from work, 20% of them are even under special discrimination in the management of the disease.
Since the first signs of the disease – abdominal pain and light bleeding – are often ignored, the diagnosis is often delayed. “To determine whether or not it is ulcerative colitis, blood and stool tests are done first. At that time the doctor performs a colonoscopy with a biopsy,” he explained. Alessandro Armuzzifull professor of Gastroenterology Humanitas of Rozzano. Miricizumab represents an innovation in the treatment method that patients suffering from the special methods of ulcerative colitis must do. “It is a monoclonal antibody that is accepted in adults, especially where there are cancers,” added Professor Armuzzi. “It can be used as an advanced first line or second line therapy. Administration occurs intravenously once a month; at the beginning of the twelfth week after the first intake, a subcutaneous injection is sufficient.”
Among the factors that determine the success of mirikizumab it is in the effect that the medicine has on bowel movement, one of the most unpleasant symptoms for patients because it causes them not to leave the house for fear of having to use the toilet often. “The studies that lead to the registration of the drug are the first and only to use a scale for bowel movement and record a clear improvement in symptoms even in those who respond well to therapy,” he said. in your speech press conference Massimo Claudio FantiniSecretary General of IG-IBD – Italian Association for the Study of Gastrointestinal Disease and a full professor of GastroenterologyUniversity of Cagliari. “A gastroenterologist must necessarily carry out a treatment plan based on mirikizumab. We often turn to specialized centers, because thanks to the number of patients followed it is possible to understand what the treatment plan should be long term, because, as ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease, there is no cure.”
In particular the lack of major reforms has resulted Lilly to also deal with chronic intestinal pathologies for the first time. “This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovate and respond to the health needs of patients,” he said. Veronica RogaiPartner VP-Medical Italy Level by Lilly. “We are happy and proud to be able to collaborate with all areas of science that deal with these diseases and to be able to create a new opportunity for our therapy for people with ulcerative colitis who are able to lead to a tangible improvement in their quality of life. “
A conference call by Lilly was accompanied by images created in real time by Beatrice SacchiA young artist who also created images on event posters and on information leaflets distributed by the pharmaceutical industry. He graduated from IED in Milan, where he now teaches, learning about psychology through his kinship experience. “He went through very bad times,” he said, “I struggled to understand what was wrong with him. Fortunately, he is better today. When Lilly told me to draw illustrations dedicated to ulcerative colitis, I have even more advice to give. I’m better than I am.”
To date, we do not know the cause of the disease ulcerative colitisso it is impossible to do it in a targeted way to avoid its beginning. What is certain is that those who have a family member who has developed pathology will also have a greater chance to face it. Patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis can prevent the progression of intestinal damage and the development of complications with therapy and a diet low in dairy products, fatty foods, spicy foods, and alcohol or caffeinated drinks, which worsen the symptoms of the disease. These precautions must be strictly observed in severe stages of the disease.
“In remission times, however, there are no food restrictions,” assures Professor Armuzzi. “Beware of the false myth about eating vegetables: patients must be strong, because they have foods that allow the correct trophism of the fungal epithelium. It is necessary to eat a little only when the disease worsens: wounds, in fact, prevent the absorption of these nutrients”.
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