New aspects for the therapy of Crohn's disease

Although the exact etiology and pathogenesis of Crohn's disease is still unknown, inadequate immune responses as in the expression of antigen specific suppressor T-cells are involved. The established therapy is only symptomatic and only partly successful. Based on the suspected immunopathogenesis, there are several attempts for an improved therapy especially in the field of immunomodulation. Therapeutic activity is claimed for T-lymphocyte apheresis, for blood transfusions or substances as methotrexate, chloroquine, immunoglobulin or Factor XIII. Several studies for cyclosporin are promising.