Program Overview

The management of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been changed dramatically over the past 5 decades by the advent of corticosteroids, immunomodulating agents, and most recently, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.

Given the absence of comparative trials with conventional and biologic agents in CD, deciding between first- and second-line therapies is often difficult for health care providers who manage these patients. In addition, understanding the optimal use of biologic agents and how to select among the agents that are currently available are significant challenges to most clinicians. Thus, the focus of this symposium is to help health care professionals understand several important concepts in the management of patients with CD, including:

  • The treatment goals that are achievable in CD with currently available therapy
  • The role of corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic agents in achieving these treatment goals
  • The optimal use of biologic agents, both in terms of selecting the appropriate patient for biologic therapy and in selecting among the biologics as initial therapy and for treatment failures.

It is hoped that these topics will enable health care providers to make more informed decisions in selecting biologic therapy for their patients with CD and to better evaluate the benefit/risk profile for each of these important biologic agents.

 

 

Welcome and Introduction: Beyond the CDAI – Defining Success and Failure of Therapy in Crohn’s Disease in the Biologic Era

Stephen B. Hanauer, MD – Chairman

 

Pulling the Trigger on Biologic Therapy – Identifying Appropriate Patients for a Biologic Agent

María T. Abreu, MD

 

Is "Escape" From Biologic Therapy Possible? Optimal Induction and Maintenance Therapy Using Biologics and Immunomodulators

Brian G. Feagan, MD

 

Minimizing the Risks of Biologic Therapy – What Can be Done Before and During Treatment With a Biologic Agent

Remo Panaccione, MD, FRCPC