title: The safety of biological pharmacotherapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: Biological agents are effective in ulcerative colitis (UC). Currently, 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab) and 1 anti-integrin agent (vedolizumab) are approved for the treatment of UC. The mechanism of action of biologic agents can also give rise to several side effects, some even serious. It remains uncertain to what extent biologic treatments may be associated with an increased rate of infections, malignancies and other adverse events Areas covered: Our aim is to review the relevant data available in the literature and briefly summarize the safety profile of biological therapy in UC. We performed a literature search using the OVID, MEDLINE, PUBMED and EMBASE databases. Also other relevant sources of safety data were also used. Expert opinion: All biological agents currently used in UC are relatively safe. Accurate prevention measures and screening prior to start such therapies, and regular surveillance programs are strongly recommend to minimize any risk of infections, malignancy and other adverse events related to the use of monoclonal antibodies in UC patients.
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Gionata
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiorino
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonovas
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Clelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cicerone
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allocca
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Furfaro
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.affiliation: a IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology , Humanitas Research Hospital , Milan , Italy.|b Department of Biomedical Sciences , Humanitas University , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danese
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001685:Biological Factors; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D016023:Integrins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Infliximab; adalimumab; golimumab; safety; ulcerative colitis; vedolizumab