Infliximab in ulcerative colitis.
Infliximab is effective for treatment of moderate-to-severe UC and is recommended for patients who have had an inadequate response to medical therapy or who are intolerant of or do not desire to take the potential risk of using specific agents including immunomodulators (cyclosporine A, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine), corticosteroids, and, potentially, mesalamine. Future trials are needed to assess the efficacy of infliximab with immunomodulators to see if additional benefit is achieved so that the risk-benefit ratio is positive. Based on the favorable efficacy of infliximab for UC therapy, the ground work has been established for evaluating infliximab and addressing some of the many unanswered questions and also for assessing other anti-TNF agents and streamlining the anti-TNG antibody to improve efficacy, reduce side effects, and ease administration.
Aberra
Faten N
FN
Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Lichtenstein
Gary R
GR
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069285:Infliximab; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab