α4Integrins as Therapeutic Targets in Autoimmune Disease

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal, two groups of investigators report on clinical trials of natalizumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody against α₄ integrins, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis¹ and Crohn's disease.² Miller et al. report that a group of patients with multiple sclerosis who received monthly injections of natalizumab had significantly fewer new inflammatory central nervous system lesions than the placebo group (a reduction of approximately 90 percent) and had approximately half as many clinical relapses.¹ Ghosh et al. report that patients with Crohn's disease also had an improved response to natalizumab,² with response and remission rates that . . .