title: Successful treatment of dermatomyositis and polymyositis with anti-tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha: preliminary observations.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor alpha neutralization seems a rational therapy for myositis because this proinflammatory cytokine has been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Until now, we have treated 2 patients with a chimeric anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (infliximab). Both patients demonstrated a marked and sustained subjective and objective improvement without the occurrence of any side effects. These preliminary results suggest that anti-TNF-alpha treatment with infliximab is a safe and rapidly effective therapy for myositis.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Centre Nijmegen, Institute of Neurology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. g.hengstman@neuro.umcn.nl
authors.forename: G J D
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hengstman
authors.forename: F H J
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: van den Hoogen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Netea
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pieterse
authors.forename: L B A
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van de Putte
authors.forename: B G M
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: van Engelen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D003402:Creatine Kinase