Integrins and adhesion molecules as targets to treat inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) present a typically relapsing-remitting behavior and are characterized by a disabling and progressive course. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents have drastically changed the therapeutic management of IBD. However, a significant proportion of patients does not have a primary response, some patients lose response overtime and/or experience side effects. Recently, anti-adhesion molecules were investigated and showed efficacy with a good safety profile. Vedolizumab was recently approved for both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and several other molecules are under evaluation in this field. Anti-adhesion molecules could represent a potential therapeutic option for future therapy in IBD. In this review we report the efficacy and safety of major anti-adhesion drugs in active IBD patients.