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Novel Targets for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapeutics

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (SB Hanauer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

In recent years, many new agents have been evaluated for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In this paper, we critically review recently published literature about these novel therapies, which have been the result of extensive research identifying molecular targets. Of the various biologicals and small molecules that have recently been tested in clinical trials, several demonstrated clinical efficacy with a tolerable safety profile. We discuss a number of them with specific focus on vedolizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha4beta7 integrin on lymphocytes, ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody against the p40 subunit of interleukin-12 and interleukin-23, and tofacitinib, a small molecule targeting Janus-activated kinase. Most likely, these three agents will find their way to the market and offer significant therapeutic alternatives for the management of Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Disclosure

Geert D’Haens has served as speaker, consultant and principal investigator for Abbott, Centocor, MSD, UCB, Takeda, TEVA, Millenium, Boerhinger Ingelheim, Elan, Ferring, DrFALK Pharma, Shire, Cosmo, AstraZeneca, GSK, PDL. Mark Löwenberg has served as speaker for Abbott, MSD and Ferring

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Mark Löwenberg & Geert D’Haens

  2. Robarts Clinical Trials, European Division, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Geert D’Haens

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Geert D’Haens

Authors
  1. Mark Löwenberg
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  2. Geert D’Haens
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Correspondence to Geert D’Haens.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Löwenberg, M., D’Haens, G. Novel Targets for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapeutics. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 15, 311 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-012-0311-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-012-0311-3

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