Oral administration of avian tumor necrosis factor antibodies effectively treats experimental colitis in rats.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical trials indicate that intravenous infusion of anti-TNF antibody is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease. An oral anti-TNF therapy may be a preferred approach, reducing systemic side effects and eliminating the inconvenience and expense of administering infusions. We tested oral avian anti-TNF antibodies in the acute and chronic phases of a rodent colitis model. Efficacy was compared to sulfasalazine and dexamethsone. Rats with chemically induced colitis were treated orally with anti-TNF antibody, placebo, or comparator. Efficacy was assessed by change in colonic weight, morphology, histology, and tissue myeloperoxidase activity. Oral anti-TNF antibody, in both the acute and chronic phases of the model, significantly decreased all inflammatory end points and proved to be more effective than sulfasalazine and dexamethasone. Oral delivery of avian anti-TNF antibodies is an effective treatment of experimental colitis and may provide advantages to current parenteral anti-TNF antibodies.