New Drug for Crohn’s Disease

The current biological drug regimen for Crohn’s disease, which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is limited due to the fact that over 30% of patients are resistant to what is known as ‘tumour necrosis factor(TNF)’. Consequently, drugs such as Remicade, Humira and Cimzia which are known as TNF Inhibitors simply do not work.

It therefore looks as though there is potentially good news for TNF Inhibitor resistant patients with the advent of a new monoclonal antibody drug, called usteketinab, which will be marketed under the trade name Stelara. According to latest clinical trials, in patients with moderate to severe disease placed on ustekinumab there was an increased clinical response and remission as early as six weeks following treatment. The authors of the report, to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine, say that this is a significant first step towards a new treatment option for these patients.

It is still early days and more clinical trials and safety tests need to be conducted before this new drug can be made widely available.

The study was funded by Janssen Research & Development.

One of a group of special proteins in the blood that are produced in response to a specific antigen and play a key role in immunity and allergy. Full medical glossary
A common name for the large and/or small intestines. Full medical glossary
An organ with the ability to make and secrete certain fluids. Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Full medical glossary
Death of cells or tissue in the body due to disease, injury or impaired blood supply. Full medical glossary
The lessening or disappearance of the symptoms or signs of a disease. Full medical glossary
A microbe, such as a type of bacteria, that is able to resist the effects of antibiotics or other drugs. Full medical glossary
trigeminal neuralgia Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for tumour necrosis factor, a protein that stimulates inflammation and causes cells to die. Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling. Full medical glossary