[Blockade of TNFalpha--new therapeutic principle in severe rheumatoid arthritis].
TNF-alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine. It has a key function in the inflammatory cascade both systemically and locally in the inflamed joints of patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Treatment with two different "biological" drugs that block the proinflammatory capacity of TNF-alpha has recently been approved by the European drug authorities. This paper discusses experience gained in clinical trials and during the first year of treatment in Sweden using infliximab (anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibodies) and etanercept (recombinant TNF-alpha receptor fusion protein).
Reumatologiska kliniken, Karolinska sjukhuset, Stockholm. plarsson@rheum.ks.se
P
P
Larsson
J
J
Bratt
A
A
Harju
R
R
van Vollenhoven
L
L
Klareskog
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D006801:Humans; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha