Biological treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Biological methods are widely used in the treatment of intestinal inflammation (II). The TNFalpha inhibitor infliximab can quickly correct recurrence, provide long-term remission and reduce hormone need in many patients with hormone-resistant and hormone-dependent forms of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, almost half of II patients fail anticytokine therapy. Some clinical trials of biological medicines were stopped because of toxicity and complications. One of promising approaches to II treatment is now transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). The trial with participation of 85 CD and UC patients demonstrates that intravenous injection of allogenic MSC significantly prolongs duration of remission, reduces recurrence risk and is indicated for patients with hormone-resistant, hormone-dependent forms of II. Cell therapy can be also used in combined treatment of other gastrointestinal diseases, hepatic cirrhosis, in particular. A clinical trial is initiated of efficacy of transplantation of bone marrow autologous cells CD133+ for stimulation of regeneration of the liver in its extensive resection and cirrhosis. The future of this method depends on the results of controlled, randomized clinical trials.