The therapeutic spectrum of infliximab and tumor necrosis factor immunomodulation in chronic inflammatory diseases

This review summarizes the clinical results of Infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease, the limited data of its use in other digestive disorders and disorders related to the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology of these disorders remains enigmatic. As long as the precise etiology remains unknown, therapeutic options to treat these patients are predominantly symptomatic (i.e., immunosuppressive drugs or surgical intervention). To be able to develop more rational therapeutic regimens, it is pivotal to understand the immunopathological events that lead to, or are involved in, the pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, we also briefly summarize what at the present is known in this respect.