Biologic therapies in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered to arise in genetically predisposed individuals as a result of a dysregulated immune response to the luminal bacteria (1). Advances in our understanding of the many factors that contribute to mucosal immune dysregulation have resulted in the development of a number of new therapies for this complex disorder. These 'biologics' specifically target defective pathways in the immune response and are either currently in use or on the horizon for use in IBD. It is crucial that clinicians on the front lines of treating patients have an understanding of both the basic pathogenesis of IBD and the mechanisms of action of the new biologic therapies in order to rationally prescribe them and to deal with their potential toxicities. This review aims to briefly discuss these factors and highlight the most promising of the new biologic therapies that have been examined in IBD.