title: Infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease.
abstract: The recent introduction of infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has greatly modified the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Data from the literature show encouraging results after intravenous infusion both for closure of intestinal or perianal fistulas and for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe intestinal disease unresponsive to other treatments. However, some contraindications such as fibrostenosing CD and sepsis have been identified. In addition, the data on long-term outcomes and safety is still limited. Our initial experience showed that in selected cases local injection of infliximab is effective in the treatment of complex perianal disease offering the possibility of using such treatment even in small bowel obstructing disease with minimal systemic effects. This paper analyzes the state of the use of both intravenous and local injection of infliximab in patients with CD.
authors: General Surgery Department; Policlinico S. Orsola; University of Bologna Italy.
authors: Gilberto
authors: G
authors: Poggioli
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Laureti
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Campieri
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Pierangeli
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gionchetti
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Ugolini
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Gentilini
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Bazzi
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Rizzello
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Coscia