There is growing evidence that Crohn's disease may be caused by replication of bacteria,
perhaps particularly E. coli, within macrophages (a specialized sort of white blood cell).
Laboratory studies show that a combination of antibiotics that can penetrate macrophages
(such as ciprofloxacin and doxycycline) together with the anti-malarial drug
hydroxychloroquine (which makes the contents of macrophage vesicles more alkaline and helps
them to kill intracellular bacteria) is particularly effective at killing the E. coli within
macrophages.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Collaborators:
National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease National Institute for Health Research, United Kingdom