Optimal use of biologics in the management of Crohn's disease

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with no known cure. The inflammation that drives the disease can lead to debilitating symptoms and a number of complications that may lead to surgery. The introduction of biologic therapy a decade ago has offered a new option for patients failing conventional therapy. Over time, biologic therapy has also led to the desire to achieve treatment goals beyond the control of symptoms. In order to achieve short-term and long-term goals with these new agents, it is important to review how these therapies may be optimized for the best results. © 2010, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.