Monoclonal antibody therapy of inflammatory bowel disease

Animal models of inflammatory bowel disease have provided insight in the regulation of mucosal inflammation. This has resulted in novel therapeutic approaches that specifically target a single inflammatory mediator. Monoclonal antibody therapy has been used in steroid refractory Crohn's disease patients. Anti-TNF antibody administration induced complete remissions and few side effects were observed. Although these findings need to be confirmed in controlled and long term treatment studies they may guide the development of specific and effective therapies for these diseases.