Adalimumab in ulcerative colitis: hypes and hopes

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: The advent of anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies has dramatically changed the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Unlike Crohn's disease (CD), only one anti-TNF-α agent, infliximab, is currently approved for active moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Adalimumab is a fully human anti-TNF-α antibody that is effective and safe for the treatment of luminal and fistulising CD. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: This review of the literature summarizes available data on of efficacy and safety profile adalimumab in patients with UC. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: Adalimumab may be effective in inducing and maintaining clinical remission in patients with moderate-to-severe UC. It may also induce mucosal healing and reduce the need for colectomy in patients with severe disease. The safety profile of the drug in UC is consistent with previous experience with this drug in CD. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Adalimumab may be effective and well tolerated in UC. Its efficacy in maintaining clinical remission needs to be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial.