New biological agents for the treatment of the "high risk" IBD patients.
BACKGROUND
Several new biological drugs have been introduced in the last decade or are under investigation for the treatment of IBD. They include anti TNFalpha agents, anti adhesion molecules, anti IL-12/23, anti IL-6R and others. Their role in IBD therapy will be discussed in regard of the association of chronic inflammation and cancer in the gut. The risk of colorectal cancer is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) and, to some extent, in Crohn's disease (CD). This association is well known from many years. However, the mechanisms linking chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis are beginning to be elucidated only recently.


CONCLUSIONS
Experimental data indicate that several cytokines could play a role in promoting tumour development. In this perspective, the anti cytokine agents could be not only powerful tools in treating inflammation but also efficacious in preventing the onset of inflammation associated colorectal cancer.
Guidi
L
L
U.O.C. Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy. lguidi@rm.unicatt.it
Marzo
M
M
Felice
C
C
Mocci
G
G
Sparano
L
L
Pugliese
D
D
De Vitis
I
I
Papa
A
A
Armuzzi
A
A
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000069285:Infliximab; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol