Abstract

The advent of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy has been a major advance in the medical management of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, a significant proportion of patients with CD do not respond adequately to treatment with these agents. Primary and secondary nonresponse to anti-TNFα therapy represents a common clinical challenge, and highlights the need for the development of additional medication options for CD. The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 are thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of CD, and serve as a potential target for additional biologic therapies. Monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-12/23 have shown efficacy in animal models of colitis, and are currently being studied in Phase III clinical trials of CD. This review focuses on ustekinumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, which blocks activity of IL-12 and IL-23 through binding the p40 subunit, and describes the current efficacy and safety data for ustekinumab in patients with CD.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.