Anti-TNF-α agents in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: mechanisms of action and pitfalls

• Published in: Immunotherapy Vol. 2; no. 6; pp. 817 - 833
• Main Authors: Silva, Léia CR, Ortigosa, Luciena CM, Benard, Gil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.11.2010
• Subjects: Adalimumab; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Arthritis, Psoriatic - therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - therapy; Clinical Trials as Topic; Crohn Disease - therapy; Etanercept; Humans; immune-mediated inflammatory diseases; Immunoglobulin G - adverse effects; Immunoglobulin G - therapeutic use; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - therapy; Infliximab; Mice; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - therapeutic use; soluble TNF; TNF-α; transmembrane TNF; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - immunology
• ISSN: 1750-743X; 1750-7448
• DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.67

TNF-α is a potent inducer of the inflammatory response, a key regulator of innate immunity and plays an important role in the regulation of Th1 immune responses against intracellular bacteria and certain viral infections. However, dysregulated TNF can also contribute to numerous pathological situations. These include immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn s disease, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis and severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Animal and human studies concerning the role of TNF-α in IMIDs have led to the development of a therapy based on TNF blockage. This article focuses first on the potential mechanisms by which the three currently licensed agents, adalimumab, etarnecept and infliximab, decrease the inflammatory activity of patients with different IMIDs. Second, it focuses on the risks, precautions and complications of the use of TNF-α inhibitors in these patients.