IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two diseases - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - both characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic and recurring autoimmune conditions. Researchers believe that these conditions occur when the body's inflammatory cells become overreactive to microbes in the GI tract, such as bacteria normally found in the intestines for digestion, and mount a destructive inflammatory response.

Traficet-EN™ (CCX282 or GSK'786) is being developed as a first-in-class anti-inflammatory small molecule therapeutic for the treatment of IBD, with an initial focus on Crohn's disease. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, or CCFA, Crohn's disease is estimated to affect as many as 700,000 Americans. According to National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, men and women are affected equally by the disease. While patients may be of any age, Crohn's disease is primarily a disease that commences in adolescents and young adults, with onset between the ages of 15 and 35 and requires lifelong treatment.

Crohn's disease is chronic; patients suffer periods of flare-ups or periods characterized by intense symptoms, interspersed with periods of remission where symptoms decrease or disappear. Symptoms may range from mild to severe and can include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and rectal bleeding, as well as loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss. Crohn's disease patients will experience ulcerations that penetrate deeply into the mucosal tissues that line the walls of the bowel. Crohn's disease may involve the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, but the most typical areas of involvement are in the small intestine and colon. Complications of Crohn's disease include obstruction or blockage of the intestine due to scar tissue build-up and nutritional deficiencies. Ulcerative lesions associated with the disease can, on occasion, completely penetrate the bowel wall, leading to painful fistula formation, or an abnormal break or opening in the bowel wall, which can cause infectious complications that require surgical intervention.

Current treatments for Crohn's disease are directed toward bringing a patient's active disease, or acute flare-ups, under control or into remission. The primary goals for drug therapy are to induce and maintain significant clinical improvement or remission, resulting in improvement of active symptoms. The initial induction therapy is often followed by chronic maintenance therapy to preserve the remission or to keep disease manifestations at a minimal level. There is no known cure for Crohn's disease, and existing treatments have varying levels of efficacy, can be expensive and may have significant side effects.

Traficet-EN is intended to control the inflammatory response underlying IBD by targeting the chemokine receptor known as CCR9. Traficet-EN is initially being developed as a first-in-class oral anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Traficet-EN is designed to be orally administered once or twice daily.

Patients seeking additional information or resources regarding IBD may wish to refer to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America website.

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