Title:Biologic Drugs in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Safety Profile
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Author(s): Antonio Di Sario, Emanuele Bendia, Laura Schiadà, Paola Sassaroli and Antonio Benedetti
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Adalimumab, biologic drugs, Crohn’s disease, immunosuppressants, infliximab, mucosal healing, TNFα,
ulcerative colitis.
Abstract: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) are chronic, progressive and disabling
disorders characterized by a heterogeneous clinical course. Some years ago the main goal of the
therapy was to achieve and maintain clinical remission, whereas at present the main goal of therapy is
represented by the deep remission, characterized by sustained clinical remission, complete mucosal
healing and normalization of serological markers of inflammation. In the last years new therapeutic
approaches have been introduced which have led to a reduction in the mortality rate and have modified
the natural history of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). In addition, several prognostic factors have
been identified which have allowed to better stratify the disease and to choose the most appropriate therapy for the single
patient. Moreover, early treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and/or biologics has changed, at least in the short term,
the course of the disease by reducing hospitalization rate and the need for surgery. Therefore, the development of biologic
therapies has represented an important step in the treatment of IBD, since these drugs induce remission and response rates
that are not achieved by other therapies. Since their use can result in significant adverse events that increase morbidity,
patients must be aware of the risks associated with treatment and must be strictly monitored. Although treatment with
biologic drugs is not successful in all patients and many of them lose clinical response, new therapies are currently under
evaluation.
