Alternative therapies to tumor necrosis factor alpha for treatment of Crohn’s disease
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Citation
Abstract
Crohn’s Disease is an immune mediated condition characterized by relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Although exact etiology is unknown, current research shows pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interferon gamma are key players in the initiation of inflammation. Acute inflammation is treated with first line therapy of corticosteroids and thiopurines to induce remission. As these drugs are not recommended for long term use, monoclonal antibodies are recommended in the maintenance phase of remission. Crohn’s disease is progressive and destructive, and often requires surgical intervention following the ever-changing pharmaceutical regimens patients require. Alternative therapies to the first line of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors target different pathways, though in this case as well, specific mechanisms of action remain elusive. Further research is warranted to study both minute pathways to inflammation as well as comparative, head-to-head studies in human subjects for alternative monoclonal antibody therapy.