TY - JOUR
T1 - Insights in immunomodulatory therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
AU - Nguyen, Geoffrey C.
AU - Harris, Mary L.
AU - Dassopoulos, Themistocles
PY - 2006/12/1
Y1 - 2006/12/1
N2 - Immunomodulators are a class of drugs that attenuate the underlying inflammatory processes of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These agents play a prominent role in the management of refractory and steroid-dependent IBD. The immunomodulatory drugs in the IBD arsenal include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are considered first-line immunosuppressants due to their proven efficacy in both CD and UC and their safety profile, whereas cyclosporine occupies a niche as a surgery-sparing agent in the acute management of severe, steroid-refractory UC. Immunomodulators also appear to have a role as adjunctive therapy when used with infliximab or other biologic agents to reduce immunogenicity. Although data have been limited to observational studies, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine may be used during pregnancy.
AB - Immunomodulators are a class of drugs that attenuate the underlying inflammatory processes of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These agents play a prominent role in the management of refractory and steroid-dependent IBD. The immunomodulatory drugs in the IBD arsenal include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are considered first-line immunosuppressants due to their proven efficacy in both CD and UC and their safety profile, whereas cyclosporine occupies a niche as a surgery-sparing agent in the acute management of severe, steroid-refractory UC. Immunomodulators also appear to have a role as adjunctive therapy when used with infliximab or other biologic agents to reduce immunogenicity. Although data have been limited to observational studies, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine may be used during pregnancy.
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U2 - 10.1007/s11894-006-0040-6
DO - 10.1007/s11894-006-0040-6
M3 - Review article
C2 - 17105689
AN - SCOPUS:33845895292
SN - 1522-8037
VL - 8
SP - 499
EP - 505
JO - Current gastroenterology reports
JF - Current gastroenterology reports
IS - 6
ER -