Overview of biologic therapy for Crohn's disease

Therapy for Crohn's disease (CD) is evolving at breakneck speed. Biologic therapies are assuming ever more important roles in treating this unrelenting, life-long disorder. New evidence suggests that earlier, more aggressive use of biological therapies for CD may improve overall efficacy rates, as well as reduce long-term complications. In addition to optimizing the use of older biologic therapies (antibodies against TNF-alpha), recent and ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the clinical efficacy of a large number of other biologic therapies, honing in on a wide array of immunological targets. The promise of biologic therapies stems from their ability to induce complete and long-lasting remission of symptoms in a way that 'standard' therapies have not been able to accomplish. In this review of biologic therapies for CD, we examine the latest clinical trial data and evidence for mechanism of action of a variety of current and future therapies.