Med. praxi. 2012;9(2):53-56

Biological therapy of Crohn’s disease

prof.MUDr.Milan Lukáš, CSc.

Klinické a výzkumné centrum pro střevní záněty, ISCARE Lighthouse a 1. LF UK, Praha

Ústav klinické biochemie a laboratorní diagnostiky, 1. LF UK, Praha

Biologic therapy is the most effective treatment modality in patients with Crohn´s disease. Indications for biological therapy start is

moderate or severe Crohn´s disease activity despite of intensive standard therapy. In clinical practice we used immunoglobulins targeted

against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Infliximab is a monoclonal, chimeric antibody and adalimumab is a complete human

antibody against TNF-α. Biological therapy effectivity is relatively high, more than 80–90 % patients respond due to induction treatment

period. Unsolved problem is the secondary treatment failure, which requires a therapy intensification. The side effects are not frequent,

but potentialy severe. The most important is a risk for opportunistic infections. The precise patients monitoring for whole time therapy

with biologicals is needed.

Keywords: biological therapy, infliximab, adalimumab, Crohn´s disease

Published: February 23, 2012  Show citation