title: Infliximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Infliximab was the first anti-TNF agent used to treat rheumatoid arthritis to provide proof of concept of the role of TNF-alpha in this condition. It has become widely used since, principally as an effective treatment in combination with methotrexate, but also as monotherapy for the treatment of Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis,and psoriatic arthritis. The benefits of infliximab in controlling signs and symptoms, improving quality of life, preventing structural joint damage, and possible healing of bone provide an important option for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Imperial College, London, UK. r.maini@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sir Ravinder
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Maini
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate