TNF involvement and anti-TNF therapy of reactive and unclassified arthritis.
A growing body of evidence shows that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is also involved in the pathogenesis of reactive and unclassified arthritis. Elevated levels of TNF-alpha and other pro-inflammatory cytokines are seen in these inflammatory arthropathies. The clinical effect on a potential underlying infection is not known, but several studies have suggested at least short-term effectiveness and safety of anti-TNF-alpha therapy in reactive and unclassified arthritis.
Meador
R
R
Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 19104, USA.
Hsia
E
E
Kitumnuaypong
T
T
Schumacher
H R
HR
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept