My article is about optimizing the benefits of biologic
therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis. The anti-TNF alpha (antitumor
necrosis factor alpha), “act by binding to the proinflammatory cytokine TNF
alpha.” The drugs that are mentioned in the article as most commonly used are
infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira). Infliximab is given via
infusions in the doctor’s office and Humira is given subcutaneously and is
typically given every week to every 2 weeks. Golimumab and vedolizimumab were
also mentioned as alternative therapies but the most preferred treatments were
infliximab and adalimumab. Patients that received these treatments and did not
develop antibodies that required them to quit taking the medication, had a
higher incidence of remission and a lower incidence of requiring a colectomy.
The ultimate goal of the biologic therapy is mucosal healing and de-escalation
of therapy. The physician has to have a good patient history in order to prescribe
the correct biologic therapy treatment for the patient with ulcerative colitis.
They also need to follow-up with the patient to determine if the treatment has
been effective by collecting the proper blood work such as C-Reactive Protein
and serum albumin levels. Also following up with the proper testing such as
colonoscopies and other endoscopic testing is essential to monitor the
effectiveness of the drug therapy.
My sister took Humira and ended up not going g into remission. I think they waited to long. Very interesting article great work
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