Cytokine-targeted therapies, the first developed being infliximab, may lower the overall cost of Crohn's disease by improving outcomes and reducing the need for medical interventions. Dr Russell Cohen from the University of Chicago, US, made this statement at a symposium at the 33rd annual meeting of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists [Las Vegas, US; December 1998]. During the symposium, Dr Cohen and other experts discussed the pathology and management of Crohn's disease.