Anti-TNF-alpha inhibitors: a new therapeutic approach for inflammatory immune-mediated diseases: an update upon efficacy and adverse events

• Published in: International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology Vol. 22; no. 3; p. 557
• Main Authors: Murdaca, G, Colombo, B M, Puppo, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-07-2009
• Subjects: Adalimumab; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Drug Therapy, Combination; Etanercept; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - therapeutic use; Inflammation - drug therapy; Inflammation - immunology; Infliximab; Opportunistic Infections - etiology; Patient Selection; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - therapeutic use; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Tuberculosis - etiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors
• ISSN: 0394-6320
• DOI: 10.1177/039463200902200301

The ongoing progresses in the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of various inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases and the availability of innovative biotechnological approaches have lead to the development of new drugs which add to conventional treatments. TNF-alpha inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept) have demonstrated efficacy either as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-inflammatory or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The efficacy and safety profile of the TNF-alpha inhibitors can be considered, in general, as a class effect. Nevertheless, some differences may exist among the three agents. In this paper, we will briefly review the indications for the use of the three TNF-alpha inhibitors, the pre-treatment considerations and the reported adverse events.