Infliximab for pediatric Crohn's disease.
The natural history of Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by recurrent flares combined with periods of inactive disease. The goal of therapy should be to induce and maintain clinical remission, to strive for endoscopic healing of the intestinal mucosa and to improve the quality of life. The nineties have been characterized by the introduction of biological therapies designed to block or neutralize pro-inflammatory cytokines which play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Biologic treatment with the anti-human tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody infliximab has dramatically changed the therapeutic approach even in pediatric patients. Numerous studies are available and report the beneficial effect of infliximab in pediatric CD patients with moderate to severe disease, refractory and steroid-dependent patients. The safety profile of infliximab is overall favorable although continued vigilance, especially for the occurrence of infrequent but serious events, including opportunistic infection and lymphomas, remains necessary.
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Ilse.Hoffman@uzleuven.be
I
I
Hoffman
S
S
Vermeire
G
G
Van Assche
P
P
Rutgeerts
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D000069285:Infliximab