Use of infliximab and anti-infliximab antibody measurements to evaluate and optimize efficacy and safety of infliximab maintenance therapy in Crohn's disease

Infliximab (IFX) is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody (Ab) against TNF-α, which is used to induce and maintain remission in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Despite its effectiveness, approximately one third of patients experience primary treatment failure, and another one third later lose effect of maintenance therapy. IFX is well tolerated but may result in potentially life-threatening side effects such acute severe infusion reactions. Determining optimal therapy after therapeutic failure is complicated. Recent studies have indicated, that measurements of IFX and anti-IFX Ab concentrations in individual patients may be helpful in this process.