Cytokine and anti-cytokine therapies in prevention or treatment of fibrosis in IBD.

ABSTRACT: The frequency of fibrosing Crohn's disease (CD) is significant, with approximately 40% of CD patients with ileal disease developing clinically apparent strictures throughout their lifetime. Although strictures may be subdivided into fibrotic, inflammatory, or mixed forms, despite immunosuppressive therapy in CD patients in the form of steroids or immunomodulators, the frequency of fibrostenosing complications has still remained significant. A vast number of genetic and epigenetic variables are thought to contribute to fibrostenosing disease, including those that affect cytokine biology, and therefore highlight the complexity of disease, but also shed light on targetable pathways. Exclusively targeting fibrosis may be difficult, however, because of the relatively slow evolution of fibrosis

SUBMITTER: Jacob N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4971798 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature