Abstract
The monoclonal antibodies inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) represent the first generation of biologic therapy, which is the most effective treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Infliximab is the most useful therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, whereas others anti-TNF antibodies (certolizumab, etanercept) which are widely used in rheumatological patients, don't have any position in IBD population.
The clinical experience with infliximab therapy from ISCARE Clinical Center, a.s., in 916 IBD patients showed, that infliximab therapy is more effective in Crohn's disease patients comparing with ulcerative colitis patients. Practically more than 2/3 of IBD patients on infliximab therapy required dose intensification for maintenance of positive response over time of follow up period.
The therapy side effects were recognized relatively frequently in 1/3 treated patients, but rarely led to the stopping of biological therapy prematurely.