title: TNF involvement and anti-TNF therapy of reactive and unclassified arthritis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 19104, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meador
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitumnuaypong
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Schumacher
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: 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