The Treatment of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Biologic Therapies

AbstractPurpose of ReviewBiologics for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been transformative to the therapeutic goals in the pediatric population. We review the biologics used to treat IBD, highlighting the importance of patient selection, dosing considerations, and therapeutic drug monitoring in children.Recent FindingsInfliximab is well-established as a safe and efficacious therapy for Crohn ’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both dose escalation strategies and therapeutic drug monitoring increase the likelihood of response to anti-TNFα therapies. Early real-world experience of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in pediatric IBD shows promising results, including clinical response rates com parable to what is seen in adults, but there are limited data using them as first-line therapies.SummaryBiologic therapies have improved outcomes in pediatric IBD, including achieving mucosal healing as well as improved growth and pubertal development. Therapeutic drug monitoring improves likelihood of response to anti-TNF α therapies, but further studies for vedolizumab and ustekinumab are necessary.
Source: Current Gastroenterology Reports - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research