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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Determination of the Relative Potency of an Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) by Neutralizing TNF Using an In Vitro Bioanalytical Method
Published on: September 16, 2017
Biological therapy in IBD. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha and others
Jürgen Schölmerich1, Gertrud Huber
1Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. juergen.schoelmerich@klinik.uni-r.de
Currently used standard treatment in IBD is effective and sufficient for the majority of patients. Published numbers regarding therapy refractoriness are probably related to referral centers and not representative. Pharmacological optimization of available drugs improves the standard situation further. Biological therapies in a larger meaning are studied intensively, but obviously hopes are to some extent not real. Biological and for some principles clinical effects (i.e. TNF antibodies, CD4 antibodies) are proven, the effects are, however, limited and long-term risks and results are not clarified. Numerous approaches are not clinically relevantly effective which is, in particular, true for those inhibiting single mediators. A number of alternative concepts such as hormones and growth factors could be effective and will be studied further. In particular probiotics may be a development of the future and they belong to the 'biologic treatments' in the true sense.
Currently used standard treatment in IBD is effective and sufficient for the majority of patients. Published numbers regarding therapy refractoriness are probably related to referral centers and not representative. Pharmacological optimization of available drugs improves the standard situation further. Biological therapies in a larger meaning are studied intensively, but obviously hopes are to some extent not real. Biological and for some principles clinical effects (i.e. TNF antibodies, CD4 antibodies) are proven, the effects are, however, limited and long-term risks and results are not clarified. Numerous approaches are not clinically relevantly effective which is, in particular, true for those inhibiting single mediators. A number of alternative concepts such as hormones and growth factors could be effective and will be studied further. In particular probiotics may be a development of the future and they belong to the 'biologic treatments' in the true sense.
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