Background:  The ligation of CD40 by CD154 is a critical step in the interaction between APC and T cells. In animals, antagonizing CD40L‐CD40 has been shown to reduce the severity of several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including experimental colitis.

Aim:  To investigate tolerability and safety of an antagonist chimeric monoclonal anti‐human CD40 antibody (ch5D12) for treatment of Crohn's disease.

Method:  ch5D12 was administrated to 18 patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease in a single dose, open‐label dose‐escalation phase I/IIa study.

Results:  ch5D12 plasma concentrations increased dose‐dependently after infusion. Two patients developed an anti‐ch5D12 antibody response. Overall response and remission rates were 72 and 22%, respectively with no evidence for a dose–response effect. Treatment with ch5D12 reduced microscopic disease activity and intensity of the lamina propria cell infiltrate, but did not alter percentages of circulating T and B cells. ch5D12 was well tolerated, although some patients experienced headache, muscle aches, or joint pains, which may have been related to the study drug.

Conclusions:  Antagonizing CD154–CD40 interactions with ch5D12 is a promising therapeutic approach for remission induction in Crohn's disease.