Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
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Vedolizumab, the first drug in the class of anti-integrin molecules, is newly approved for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and can be prescribed in Germany since mid-2014. By a specific receptor binding a relatively gut-selective mode of action was achieved without the known side effects of the systemic immunosuppression of the anti-TNF-alpha antibodies. ⋯ For maintenance therapy the Vedolizumab data show a deep and sustained remission in patients initially responding to induction therapy with a lower loss of efficacy in the long-term treatment known from the anti-TNF-alpha therapy. On the basis of currently available data the efficacy of Vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis appears to be slightly better than in Crohn's disease.