Biologics are not working well. Now on the GSK 786 trial

[Crohn2357]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and this is my first thread and post. I have been reading this forum for months and I join now. Before I tell you about my questions and my current situation, I must say that English is not my main language. If I do any language mistakes, excuse me about that. Thank you for responses and helps.
I was diagnosed crohn's in 2012 April, used corticosteroids for 4 months (tapered slowly) and asacol tablets and enema every day. I was in remission until November 2012. Since then I used steroids again but it didn't helped me, I tapered it off and start Azathioprine(Imuran) and wait 3 months to see if it would help but it didn't helped me too. Then I started Adalimumab(Humira) it helped me wavely. Within 2-3 month it started to effect my disease but not like me and my doc expected. Actually not bad bad it lost its effectiveness so we doubled dose (maked it weekly). It didn't helped me too; so we tried Infliximab(Remicade) I'm now on 3rd infusion but this drug is not helping me either. It effects only 18-20 day and not too powerful. My doc thinks Cimzia would not help me because it is similar to Humira and Remicade. So, I have 4 options now
1- Surgery (I don't want to)
2- Stem Cell Transplant- But if I choose this option, I must wait November, December maybe. I can't wait.
3-A trial that known as GSK1605786A(GSK'786)(Traficet-EN)
4-Apheresis- But if I do that, maybe I can't join Traficet-EN trial.

So, my doc is thinking option 3 is may be a good option for me because I do not respond to Anti TNF's and this drug is not an Anti TNF. It is an oral CCR9 antagonist.
I have researched a lot about biologics, trial drugs etc... On this forum there aren't many thread about Traficet so, I want to ask you: Did you used this drug and if so, what did you experienced? My doc is trying to contact whit the drug company and I want to try this. Thank you for sharing with me your experiences and thoughts.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm sorry you haven't found success with medications yet. I can't speak for the GSK trial but many people have failed Remicade and Humira and do well on Cimzia. They are all anti-TNF but they each have a different composition. I reacted poorly to Humira but tolerate Cimzia just fine.

I wanted to make you aware of that so you give a second look at Cimzia. They even market the drug as one for those who failed Remicade & Humira.

 

[Crohn2357]

Thank you for your response. My doctor says there are two type of clinical response to drugs.
primary response: Going well on the drug long time and then effect lost.
secondary response: Not going well on the drug like primary response.
He thinks that mine is secondary and says the success chance of cimzia is very little for me. Also in my country, Cimzia is not approved by ministry of health. If we choose Cimzia we need to ask them to bring this drug here. It is not a big problem. But like I said my doc says the chance is very low.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You could always get a second opinion. I am not in a position to argue with a doctor but do feel strongly and have seen countless people failing one or two biologics and going great on another. Cimzia may or may not work for you but if its something you might be interested in I would hope you have all options on the table.

 

[Jennifer]

Traficet-EN isn't talked about much on the forum. Here's an older thread on it (mainly sharing info) http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=10424

I've tried both Humira and Remicade and had to stop both due to too many side effects. My doctors feel that the same thing may happen when I go on Cimzia but its worth a shot as there are few options left. It is possible that Cimzia could work for you but the choice is yours. Have you tried Methotrexate or is it available in your country?

As for surgery it may help to kick start remission not to mention remove any scar tissue which would help relieve some symptoms. Yet either way you'd still need a treatment plan following surgery.

 

[Crohn2357]

I'm keeping surgery as the last option for me. I forgot to say, I'm also on methotrexate 15mg/week. It's not helping too.