Abstract
The medical management of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has historically been based upon the use of broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and thiopurines. Recently, the identification of novel mechanisms central to the pathophysiology of IBD has provided more specific targets, including inhibition of leukocyte trafficking to the gut. In this article, we discuss the molecular biology of intestinal leukocyte trafficking and review the emerging therapies that target this process, including vedolizumab, natalizumab, etrolizumab, PF-547659, alicaforsen, efalizumab, and emerging members of this class.
MeSH terms
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Cell Adhesion / drug effects*
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Cell Movement / drug effects*
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Chemokine CXCL10 / antagonists & inhibitors
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Humans
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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
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Integrin alpha4 / physiology
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Integrin beta Chains / physiology
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Integrins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / chemically induced
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / agonists
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / physiology
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Signal Transduction
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
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T-Lymphocytes / physiology
Substances
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Chemokine CXCL10
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Integrin beta Chains
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Integrins
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
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integrin alpha4beta7
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integrin beta7
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Integrin alpha4