Infliximab (Remicade), a new biological treatment for Crohn's disease.
Tumour necrosis factor plays a pivotal role in Crohn's disease intestinal inflammation. Blocking this cytokine by means of the chimeric monoclonal antibody infliximab has led to a rapid reduction in mucosal inflammation. More than 65% of refractory Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab showed a remarkable improvement in their symptoms, which was maintained by repeated infusions every 2 months up to 44 weeks. Patients with draining enterocutaneous fistulae also benefited from infliximab treatment, with more than 60% of fistulae healed after 3 infusions. Adverse events following infliximab infusions were mild and transient, occurring with the same frequency in infliximab and placebo-treated patients. In conclusion, infliximab appears to offer a promising novel therapeutic agent for refractory and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Long-term risks and benefits remain to be determined.
D'Haens
G R
GR
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. geert.dhaens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab