Development of anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
The aetiology of systemic, autoimmune, chronic inflammatory diseases--such as rheumatoid arthritis--is not known, and their pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial. However, progress in the characterization of intercellular mediators--proteins that are now known as cytokines--has led to the realization that one cytokine, tumour-necrosis factor (TNF; previously known as TNF-alpha), has an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This discovery heralded a new era of targeted and highly effective therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis and, subsequently, other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Feldmann
Marc
M
Kennedy Institute, Rheumatology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK. m.feldmann@ic.ac.uk
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000266:history; D016207:Cytokines / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000266:history* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha