| Theme |
Role of AZA/6-MP in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
| Title |
Comparative Effect of Other Treatments with AZA/6-MP in the Steroid Dependent / Resistant Inflammatory Bowel Disease -- Infliximab |
| Author |
Yasuo Suzuki |
Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University |
| [ Summary ] |
Proinflammatory cytokines have been proven to play important roles in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Therefore, several kinds of biologicals are being developed that can inhibit the actions of proinflammatory cytokines. Anti TNF-α antibodies can also inhibit the actions of TNF-α and are paid particular attention as one type of biologicals. Infliximab is the only clinical biological available in Japan for patients with Crohn's disease. Infliximab can not only induce remission in patients with active Crohn's disease who are refractory to steroids or the immunomodulators, AZA or 6-MP, but also maintain long term remission and decrease hospitalization time, as well as time to relapse by being administrated in the early stages of active Crohn's disease. They are by administrated regularly for scheduled maintenance therapy after induction of remission. |