The current state of the art for biological therapies and new small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease

Mucosal Immunol. 2018 Nov;11(6):1558-1570. doi: 10.1038/s41385-018-0050-3. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Abstract

The emergence of biologic therapies is arguably the greatest therapeutic advance in the care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to date, allowing directed treatments targeted at highly specific molecules shown to play critical roles in disease pathogenesis, with advantages in potency and selectivity. Furthermore, a large number of new biologic and small-molecule therapies in IBD targeting a variety of pathways are at various stages of development that should soon lead to a dramatic expansion in our therapeutic armamentarium. Additionally, since the initial introduction of biologics, there have been substantial advances in our understanding as to how biologics work, the practical realities of their administration, and how to enhance their efficacy and safety in the clinical setting. In this review, we will summarize the current state of the art for biological therapies in IBD, both in terms of agents available and their optimal use, as well as preview future advances in biologics and highly targeted small molecules in the IBD field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Biological Therapy*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / therapy*
  • Integrins / immunology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Small Molecule Libraries

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cytokines
  • Integrins
  • Small Molecule Libraries