IBD treatment options: conventional therapies VS biologics

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic intestinal diseases, that comprise the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These disorders have a significant  effect on the quality of life of affected patients and the increasing number of IBD cases worldwide is a growing concern. 

Depending on disease severity, the options of conventional treatment for IBD include 5-aminosalicylic acid agents, glucocorticoids, antibiotics, and immunomodulators. Immunomodulators include azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclosporine. 

While in not responding patients or those at higher risk of an adverse course a biological treatment is indicated. The most frequently administered biologics are antibodies directed against the tumour-necrosis factor α, which are highly effective, but the length of their application is limited by a loss of efficiency and incidence of adverse effects. The new, more selectively acting biologics include anti-integrin antibodies , interleukin 12/23 antibodies and JAK inhibitors .