title: Ustekinumab for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
abstract: Crohn's disease (CD) results from a pathological immune response to luminal antigens in genetically predisposed individuals. Since the causes of CD are complex and only partially understood, treatment is based on the empiric use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Although multiple therapies for CD currently exist, a substantial proportion of patients are unresponsive to conventional agents. Approximately a third of patients fail treatment with TNF antagonists, and up to 40% of patients who initially benefit subsequently lose response. Accordingly, new approaches are required. Ustekinumab, a fully human IgG1-κ monoclonal antibody to the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23, has emerged as a promising new treatment for both psoriasis and CD. This article reviews the available data regarding the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in CD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, PO Box 5015, 100 Perth Drive, London, ON N6A 5K8, Canada.
authors.forename: Reena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Feagan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D015202:Protein Engineering; D000069549:Ustekinumab
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018664:Interleukin-12; D000069549:Ustekinumab