Loading...
Ustekinumab is an all-human, monoclonal antibody that blocks activity of the common p40 subunit of interleuken-12 and interleuken-23 cytokines on T-cells, natural killer cells, and antigen-presenting cells. It is currently approved for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (FDA press release) and is now being investigated for its efficacy in treating Crohn disease.
In an industry-sponsored, phase IIb study, investigators randomized 526 patients with a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of 220 to 450 points and previous nonresponse to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists to receive induction therapy with 1, 3, or 6 mg/kg of intravenous ustekinumab or placebo for 8 weeks (induction phase). Patients who responded to ustek…