Abstract
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can involve any portion of the GI tract, leading to disabling symptoms and complications. Standard treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid, antibiotics, corticosteroids and immunosuppressives has limited efficacy and is associated with serious potential adverse events. The anti-TNF-alpha agents are effective in the induction and maintenance of remission in luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Recent evidence suggests that early treatment with anti-TNF agents and immunosuppressives may alter the natural history of the disease and prevent late complications. In those patients who have lost response to, or are intolerant of, a single anti-TNF agent, increasing the dose of the medication or switching to alternate biologic agents, such as another anti-TNF drug or natalizumab, have been shown to be effective treatments.
MeSH terms
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Adalimumab
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Certolizumab Pegol
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Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
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Crohn Disease / immunology
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Crohn Disease / pathology
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Drug Resistance
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Gastrointestinal Agents / administration & dosage
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Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects
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Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / therapeutic use
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Infliximab
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Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
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Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
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Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
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Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
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Treatment Outcome
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Wound Healing / drug effects
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Gastrointestinal Agents
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Polyethylene Glycols
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Infliximab
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Adalimumab
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Certolizumab Pegol