Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Study to Analyze the Efficacy of in TNF-Alpha Blockade in Adult Patients With Severe, Corticosteroid-Dependent Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Study Principle: An open-conducted, un-controlled, off label use of Infliximab will be performed in at least 3 individuals with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) to evaluate the efficacy of an TNF-α blockade in the treatment of adult patients with severe, isolated EE.

Rationale for this Trial: Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a chronic, TH2-type dominant inflammatory disorder of the esophagus with a constantly increasing prevalence. It has been demonstrated that the cytokines TNF-α and IL-5 as well as the chemokine eotaxin-3 play a crucial role in the immuno-pathogenesis of this disease. These mediators are potential targets for therapeutic interventions. The established diagnostic criteria of EE are PPI-resistent esophageal related symptoms in combination with an infiltration of the esophageal mucosa with more than 20 eosinophils/hpf, a tissue where eosinophils are not normally encountered.

Treatment strategies in chronic inflammations have basically two goals: 1) Relief of symptoms; and 2) Prevention of long-term damage of the affected organ, due to a persistence of an uncontrolled inflammation. Standard recommendations for medical therapy of EE include systemic or topical corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists. The treatment with corticosteroids is limited by the occurence of steroid-dependence and steroid-resistance, as well as the corticosteroid adherent side effects.

Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal IgG antibody, is a potent inhibitor of the soluble and the membrane-bound form of TNF-α. Its efficacy in inducing and maintaining a remission in several TH1- and TH2-type inflammations is well documented. Infliximab is since more than 5 years approved for the therapy of these immune-mediated inflammations. Today, it is used as standard therapy in a subset of severe forms in these disorders. Meanwhile an overwhelming mass of data has confirmed the efficacy and the safety of this compound.

Purpose of this Study:The purpose of this pilot-trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a TNF-α blockade with Infliximab monotherapy as induction-treatment in adult patients with severe EE.