Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the efficacy of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-α, in 120 patients with Crohn's disease. Patients received 5 mg/kg infliximab at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Clinical remission was achieved in 58% of patients at week 10 (p < 0.001). Adverse events included infusion reactions and upper respiratory tract infections; no cases of tuberculosis were observed. IBD-related hospitalizations decreased significantly. These results suggest that anti-TNF-α therapy is effective in moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.
