Targeting the p40 cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 in Crohn's disease

In a recent study in which Crohn's disease patients were treated with an antibody targeting IL-12p40, 75% of patients exhibited a significant clinical response. The antibody in question blocks two related cytokines, IL-12 and IL-23. This encouraging clinical result prompts us to more fully understand the role of these cytokines and their individual contributions to the inflammatory pathways that underlie the disease.

Section editor:Martin Braddock – AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, UK