Role of biological therapy in early Crohn’s disease: mini-review

Czech version

Authors: L. Bajer
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika hepatogastroenterologie, IKEM, Praha
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2022; 76(4): 296-301
Category: Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology: Review Article
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccgh2022296

Overview

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial disease that (along with ulcerative colitis) represents a phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CD has progressive character and is associated with the development of various complications leading to potentially serious bowel damage (BD). Early stage of Crohn’s disease (eCD) is characterized by a specific immune response and represents an attractive target for specific agressive therapy. The use of biologics (BL) in eCD may help to prevent BD and allow early dose reduction or even discontinuation of BL. Wide scientific evidence supports the importance of BL in eCD based on studies with anti-TNF biologics (being part of clinical practice for relatively long time now). However, studies on novel biologics with low rate of the adverse events (vedolizumab, ustekinumab) also show promising results. Defining high-risk groups and suitable biomarkers would help to select those eCD patients who would benefit the most from early biological therapy.

Keywords:

inflammatory bowel disease – biological therapy – Crohn’s disease

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