Biological therapy in Crohn's disease

Abstract

The discovery of the central role of tumour necrosis factor-α in Crohn's disease and the subsequent introduction of infliximab into routine clinical practice has transformed the treatment of refractory disease. Advances in understanding of the immunopathological basis of Crohn's disease are leading to the development of new biological therapies which are likely to play an increasing role in future.

Involvement of Th1 cells and heat shock protein 60 in the pathogenesis of intestinal Behçet's disease

“…Th1-type cytokine production, including IL-12 and IFN-g in addition to TNF-a production, have been reported to play a major role in CD [30][31][32]. Anti-TNF-a antibody is used to treat patients with CD and also patients with intestinal BD, suggesting partial common pathogenic pathways between the two diseases [8][9][10]33,34]. The triggering antigens may be different between BD and CD.…”