Anti-trafficking agents in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe the latest developments in the field of anti-trafficking agents (ATAs), a class of therapeutics with growing importance in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) that specifically inhibit steps of immune cell trafficking. RECENT FINDINGS: Several translational and clinical studies have further shaped the knowledge about the mechanisms and effects of the anti-α4ß7 integrin antibody vedolizumab. In parallel, new ATAs like the anti-ß7 integrin antibody etrolizumab and the anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody ontamalimab are investigated in phase III clinical trials and might soon increase the therapeutic armamentarium in IBD. SUMMARY: ATAs have unique mechanisms of action and can meanwhile be considered an indispensable column of IBD therapy. Further efforts are necessary to elucidate complex mechanistic aspects, to exactly define their role in relation to other therapeutic approaches and to identify novel treatment targets as well as biomarkers for personalized medicine.