title: Crohn's disease: a review of treatment options and current research.
abstract: Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects nearly 1.4 million Americans. The etiology of Crohn's disease is not completely understood, however, research has suggested a genetic link. There is currently no known cure for Crohn's disease and, as a result, most government-funded research is being conducted to increase the quality of life of afflicted patients (i.e. reducing chronic inflammation and alleviating growth impairment in pediatric patients). A number of treatment options are available including an alpha-4 integrin inhibitor and several TNF-alpha inhibitors. Furthermore, research is being conducted on several alternative treatment options to help understand exactly which cellular mechanisms (i.e. inducing apoptosis in leukocytes) are required for clinical efficacy. This review seeks to chronicle the current available treatment options for patients affected by Crohn's disease to aid in understanding potential cellular mechanistic requirements for an efficacious drug, and shed light on potential options for future treatment.
authors: Georgia Regents University, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States. Electronic address: sbandzar@gru.edu.
authors: Sean
authors: S
authors: Bandzar
authors: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors: Shabnam
authors: S
authors: Gupta
authors: Georgia Institute of Technology, Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors: Manu O
authors: MO
authors: Platt
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019468:Disease Management; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D039441:Integrin alpha4 / Q000378:metabolism; D053614:Janus Kinase 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010166:Palliative Care; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078262:Rifaximin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016207:Cytokines; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D000069442:Natalizumab; D012294:Rifamycins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D000069285:Infliximab; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2; D000078262:Rifaximin
keywords: Crohn’s disease; DC; IL; TNF; TNF-alpha blocker; dendritic cell; interleukin; tumor necrosis factor