Predictive biomarkers for anti-TNF alpha therapy in IBD patients

TL;DR

This review explores biomarkers that can predict how well IBD patients will respond to anti-TNF therapies, aiming to improve personalized treatment.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of predictive biomarkers for anti-TNF therapy in IBD, highlighting their clinical utility and limitations.

Findings

Anti-TNF therapies have significantly improved IBD treatment outcomes but not all patients respond positively.

Predictive biomarkers can help monitor therapeutic response and guide personalized treatment strategies.

Current biomarkers have limitations that need addressing for more effective clinical application.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by severe gut inflammation, commonly presenting as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or categorized as IBD- unclassified. While various treatments have demonstrated efficacy in adult IBD patients, the advent of anti-TNF therapies has significantly revolutionized treatment outcomes and clinical management. These therapies have played a pivotal role in achieving clinical and endoscopic remission, promoting mucosal healing, averting disease progression, and diminishing the necessity for surgery. Nevertheless, not all patients exhibit positive responses to these therapies, and some may experience a loss of responsiveness over time. This review aims to present a comprehensive examination of predictive biomarkers for monitoring the therapeutic response to anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients. It will explore their limitations and clinical utilities, paving the way for a more personalized and effective therapeutic approach.

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