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Are we ready for top-down therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases: con
1University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Bioinformatics Bldg, CB#7080, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA. hherf@med.unc.edu
Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|December 17, 2008
Summary
The
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology: Focus on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD).
Background:
- Current standard therapy for IBD relies on clinical symptoms ('step-up').
- Emerging 'top-down' approach uses early, aggressive anti-TNF and immunosuppressants for Crohn's disease.
Discussion:
- Compares 'top-down' therapy with traditional 'step-up' methods.
- Evaluates early clinical results of the 'top-down' strategy.
Key Insights:
- Assesses potential adverse effects of aggressive early treatment.
- Considers the natural history of Crohn's disease in relation to treatment.
Outlook:
- Highlights mucosal healing as a key therapeutic goal in Crohn's disease.
- Provides perspective on the evolving treatment paradigm for Crohn's disease.
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