TNF-alpha antagonists for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
New medical therapies that inhibit the bioactivity of TNF-alpha represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Anti-TNF-alpha, monoclonal, chimeric antibody (infliximab) is now FDA approved for use in patients with active CD. Other investigational drugs that also inhibit TNF-alpha activity include new 'humanised' anti-TNF-alpha antibodies (CDP571), thalidomide, new analogues of thalidomide, and TNF-alpha receptor fusion proteins. This review will summarise the key clinical data for each of these categories of TNF-alpha inhibition and discuss the potential economic impact of these new compounds on the cost of CD management.
Kam
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Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. Kaml@CSHS.org
Targan
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D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069285:Infliximab