title: Adalimumab for the treatment of pediatric Crohn's disease.
abstract: Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by a chronic relapsing course, high morbidity and impaired quality of life. Their incidence is rising, and about 25% of cases are diagnosed in pediatric age. Anti-TNF-α antibodies, such as infliximab and adalimumab (ADA), are usually administered in patients refractory to conventional therapies. However, increasing evidence suggests that they can be introduced earlier in the course of the disease, especially in patients with aggressive and extensive disease since diagnosis. ADA is a fully human anti-TNF-α antibody recently approved for pediatric Crohn's disease not only in patients unresponsive to infliximab, but also as a first-line anti-TNF-α therapy. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the use of ADA in pediatric Crohn's disease and to discuss open issues regarding safety as well as future perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Unit, Vimercate Hospital, Vimercate, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: Gionata
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiorino
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danese
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000139:chemically induced; D012074:Remission Induction; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068879:Adalimumab
keywords: adalimumab; anti-TNF-α antibodies; efficacy; inflammatory bowel disease; pediatric Crohn’s disease; safety