New concepts in anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn's disease is a T helper type 1 response immune disease characterized by increased production of interleukin-12 tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and interferon-g. Clinical trials have demonstrated that inhibition of TNF is effective for the treatment of Crohn's disease. Adverse events reported in patients treated with anti-TNF agents include immunogenicity, acute infusion reactions, delayed hypersensitivity-type reactions, autoimmune diseases including drug-induced lupus and demyelination, and infection. This article reviews new concepts in the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis with a variety of anti-TNF biologic therapies: infliximab, adalimumab, CDP870, CDP571, etanercept, and onercept.