Abstract
Since the cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown, therapy has traditionally been based on the empiric use of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the recent identification of specific mechanisms that regulate cellular migration into inflamed intestinal tissue has provided novel targets for drug development. In this article, we discuss these mechanisms and review emerging safety and efficacy data regarding use of selective inhibitors of leukocyte trafficking for the treatment of IBD. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel