Biologics and Therapeutics of IBD, An Issue of Gastroenterology Clinics

Dr. Gary Lichtenstein, one of the top experts on IBD, has assimilated an international group of experts who will explore the use of infliximab and other similar biologics for use in patients with Ulcerative Colitis, luminal Crohns Disease and fistulizing Crohns disease. The perceived mechanisms of action, and adverse events will be reviewed. Similar agents under investigation will be reviewed. The review will focus on clinically relevant issues for the practicing clinician and also focus on important laboratory based information that the investigator needs to know. Areas of focus include regulatory issues with biologics in IBD, management of infusion reactions in patients receiving infliximab, the economics of use of biologics, recognizing and preventing adverse events with use of infliximab and other biologics, A review of putative targets for novel biologics and also a review of current agents under investigation will also be included. This guide for the experienced researcher and for the novice who has yet to use biologic therapy to treat IBD will be a state of the art overview of the current literature for infliximab and other biologics in IBD. Gastroenterologists, surgeons, family physicians, gynecologists, internists, medical students, nurses and all other health care deliverers who are caring for patients with Inflammatory bowel disease must have this issue because it focuses is on clinically relevant topics, patient management issues; laboratory-based investigations will be touched upon with a translational focus. Key Words:: Biologics, Infliximab, monoclonal antibody, Crohns Disease, Fistulae, Ulcerative Colitis, Refractory Crohns Disease, novel therapy, economics, fistulae, luminal Crohns disease, infusion reactions.