Successful mercaptopurine usage despite azathioprine-induced pancreatitis in paediatric Crohn's disease

Abstract

Background: Azathioprine [AZA] and mercaptopurine [MP] are recommended for maintenance of steroid-free remission in children with Crohn`s disease [CD]. Azathioprine-induced pancreatitis, an idiosyncratic and major side effect, has been considered as an absolute contraindication for the use of a second thiopurine in IBD patients. Materials and Methods: We describe two children with CD in whom MP were successfully trialled after a confirmed azathioprine-induced pancreatitis, being well tolerated in both cases. Results: Two boys [13 and 10 years old] started exclusive enteral nutrition after diagnosis of moderate (Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index [wPCDAI] = 45) and mild [wPCDAI = 35] CD. Both developed an acute mild to moderate pancreatitis after 2 and 3 weeks, respectively, of AZA treatment but recovered fully in hospital after AZA withdrawal. They started on MP treatment without any adverse effect. They were tested for the presence of polymorphisms 238G > C, 460G > A, and 719A > G in the TPMT gene and 94C > A and 21 > C in the ITPase. Both patients were wild-type for all tested polymorphisms. Conclusions: Azathioprine-induced acute pancreatitis should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for the use of MP. Further investigation is required to create a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the adverse events and to allow more possibilities for personalised therapy.