Serum levels of infliximab and antibodies to infliximab, clinical using

Abstract

Timely diagnosing, precise treatment and the individual approach are needed for complex management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The goal of the complex and individual approach is to achieve and maintain the remission and to minimize the complications. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is the key cytokine of the chronic bowel inflammation. Infliximab is the longest used biologic compound. Infliximab reduces TNF-α levels, regulates inflammation and induces remission. Monitoring of the infliximab levels and antibodies to infliximab can contribute to optimalization of the biological therapy and tailoring to individual cases. Loss of response can be also caused by undetectable levels or positive antibodies to infiximab.