Biological therapy

Biological therapy refers to a group of medicines which includes infliximab.

• Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody (an antibody is a substance produced in the body to remove a foreign substance).
  
  
• It inhibits (stops) the action of tumour necrosis factor alpha, a substance in the body which causes inflammation.
  
  
• It is only used in individuals who have failed to respond to any other form of treatment.
  
  
• It increases the risk of infection, and some patients have developed tuberculosis whilst using infliximab.