title: Insights in immunomodulatory therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
abstract: Immunomodulators are a class of drugs that attenuate the underlying inflammatory processes of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These agents play a prominent role in the management of refractory and steroid-dependent IBD. The immunomodulatory drugs in the IBD arsenal include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are considered first-line immunosuppressants due to their proven efficacy in both CD and UC and their safety profile, whereas cyclosporine occupies a niche as a surgery-sparing agent in the acute management of severe, steroid-refractory UC. Immunomodulators also appear to have a role as adjunctive therapy when used with infliximab or other biologic agents to reduce immunogenicity. Although data have been limited to observational studies, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine may be used during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street/Blalock 461, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Themistocles
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dassopoulos
mesh_terms: D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents