Biological therapies in autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases (ACIDs)

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2006 Jan-Feb;10(1):37-40.

Abstract

Autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases (ACIDs) represent a growing part of chronic diseases and their cellular and molecular pathways have been deeply investigated in recent years in order to disclose some clue aspects that could be optimal targets of specific therapies. Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases a major molecular driver was discovered (TNFalpha) which represents along with IL1beta, a key driver of the ongoing chronic inflammation. The same molecule arose as a major player in the pathological mechanism of Crohn's disease. The biomolecular pathways of Ulcerative Colitis appear more complex and not yet defined, although targeting specific integrins (alpha4beta7) has shown some promises, pending the severe side effects related to treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Biological Therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Drug Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / genetics
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / genetics
  • Rheumatic Diseases / immunology
  • Spondylarthropathies / drug therapy*
  • Spondylarthropathies / genetics
  • Spondylarthropathies / immunology