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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2014; 20(5): 1248-1258
Published online Feb 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i5.1248
Published online Feb 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i5.1248
What is left when anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases fails?
Ian C Lawrance, Centre for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia
Ian C Lawrance, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia
Author contributions: Lawrance IC solely contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ian C Lawrance, Professor, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, Alma Street, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia. ian.lawrance@uwa.edu.au
Telephone: +61-8-94316347 Fax: +61-8-94313160
Received: September 6, 2013
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: December 12, 2013
Published online: February 7, 2014
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: December 12, 2013
Published online: February 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Overall the physician must keep an open mind when treating inflammatory bowel disease. These patients have a long-term incurable condition than can significantly impact on all aspects of their life. Surgery does not cure the disease and thus medications may be required for many decades in order to give the patients a decent quality of life. Both the patient and the physician, therefore, need to remember the “oldies but goodies” but also keep the door open to new innovations and novel therapies.