TNF-Alpha Blockers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Practical Recommendations and a User's Guide: An Update

Abstract

Background: Anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) antagonists have been the mainstay in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) for over 20 years.

Summary: This review article aimed to provide an update on recent advances in TNF antagonist therapy for IBDs. Key Messages: Their position in the treatment algorithm has evolved to "rapid step-up therapy" or "top-down therapy" according to disease severity and patients' characteristics. Limitations of anti-TNF antagonists include loss of response in up to 30-50% of patients with or without the development of antibodies. Therapeutic drug monitoring should provide a tailored, personalized approach to this scenario. Recently, biosimilar agents have been approved for IBDs and are considered equivalent in efficacy to the originator.

Keywords: Biologicals; Crohn’s disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Infliximab; TNF inhibitors; Ulcerative colitis.