[Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel diseases].

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Context:

• Fecal calprotectin is a key biomarker for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies are crucial for managing IBD.
• Predicting treatment response in IBD is essential for effective patient management.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the role of fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting long-term response to anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients.
• To investigate the association between anti-TNF trough levels, detectable antibodies, and treatment outcomes (clinical remission, mucosal healing).
• To explore the potential of biomarkers for optimizing anti-TNF treatment strategies, including dose adjustment or de-escalation.

Summary:

• Fecal calprotectin and CRP levels are predictive of long-term response in patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy for IBD.
• Detectable anti-TNF antibodies are linked to reduced treatment efficacy.
• Maintaining optimal anti-TNF trough levels is associated with clinical remission and mucosal healing, guiding treatment adjustments.

Impact:

• Biomarker-guided treatment adjustments, such as optimizing or de-escalating anti-TNF therapy based on trough levels and antibody presence, can improve patient outcomes.
• Further interventional studies are needed to solidify biomarker-based treatment algorithms for IBD.
• This research supports a personalized approach to anti-TNF therapy in IBD management.