Infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease: safety issues.
Infliximab has become a valuable addition to the therapeutic arsenal for Crohn's disease. Although the rate of adverse events was relatively low in the premarketing trials, several investigators have recently reported experience in large groups of patients. This has shed more light on safety aspects of infliximab therapy, which should change the approach towards patients prior to infliximab infusion. This review discusses some immunological aspects that are relevant for infliximab therapy and provides guidelines for daily practice.
Hommes
D W
DW
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.w.hommes@amc.uva.nl
van Deventer
S J H
SJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D012449:Safety; D012713:Serum Sickness / Q000209:etiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab