Biological therapies in autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases (ACIDs)

G.F. Ferraccioli, E. Gremese

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Complesso Integrato Columbus – Rome (Italy)

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• Gastroenterology

Abstract. – Autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases (ACIDs) represent a growing part of chronic diseases and their cellular and molecular pathways have been deeply investigated in recent years in order to disclose some clue aspects that could be optimal targets of specific therapies. Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases a major molecular driver was discovered (TNFalpha) which represents along with IL1beta, a key driver of the ongoing chronic inflammation. The same molecule arose as a major player in the pathological mechanism of Crohn’s disease. The biomolecular pathways of Ulcerative Colitis appear more complex and not yet defined, although targeting specific integrins (alpha4beta7) has shown some promises, pending the severe side effects related to treatment.

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