title: New cytokine therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: Conventional therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases rely on corticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylates combined with immunosuppressive agents for maintenance. These drugs are not always effective and may inflict serious side effects. Other therapies are therefore awaited. Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha has been successfully applied as a treatment for Crohn's disease. The mechanism of action of this drug extends beyond the level of TNF-alpha scavenging and includes induction of apoptosis of effector cells. Numerous anti-TNF antibodies have been developed and are currently evaluated in clinical trials. Other targets for monoclonal antibodies include integrins and cytokines involved in T-cell differentiation and activation. Likewise recombinant proteins that moderate TNF bioactivity and lymphocyte function have been developed. The therapeutic effect of recombinant interleukin-10 seems to be dependent on local delivery of the protein. Antisense therapy targeting lymphocyte migration has also been tested in IBD. Finally, the conventional drug thalidomide and possibly MAP-kinase inhibitors may become novel treatment entities for IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, C2-111, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.stokkers@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: P C F
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Stokkers
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hommes
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines