title: Therapeutic value of alpha-4 integrin blockade in inflammatory bowel disease:the role of natalizumab.
abstract: Lymphocyte infiltration into the intestinal tract in Crohn's disease is mediated by the interaction between alpha(4) integrin, expressed on lymphocytes, and its ligand mucosal vascular addressin cell-adhesion molecule-1 (MADCAM-1), expressed on the endothelial cells of the microvasculature in inflamed intestinal tract. Natalizumab, a recombinant, humanised monoclonal antibody against alpha(4) integrin was effective in Crohn's disease in a Phase II, randomised, controlled trial. The highest response rate and remission rates were 71 and 44% at 6 weeks, respectively, after two infusions of 3 mg of natalizumab administered 4 weeks apart. Natalizumab was well-tolerated in this study. The Phase III trial results are awaited.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Ducane Road, London W12 0NN, UK. s.ghosh@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: Subrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D039441:Integrin alpha4 / Q000276:immunology*; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C504265:MADCAM1 protein, human; D009088:Mucoproteins; D000069442:Natalizumab; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D039441:Integrin alpha4