Efficacy and safety of tumor necrosis factor antagonists in Crohn's disease: overview of randomized clinical studies

Abstract

The past decade has brought forth a series of novel biologic agents targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for the treatment of Crohn's disease. The introduction of infliximab has paved the way for additional anti-TNF strategies that have the potential to build on that drug's efficacy and safety profile. However, the anti-TNF strategies might not have identical efficacy and safety profiles and might differ in dosing compared with therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Most recently, adalimumab has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is undergoing evaluation in Crohn's disease, with promising initial results. This review discusses the results of controlled clinical trials of anti-TNF agents for Crohn's disease.