title: Infliximab: a review of its use in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Infliximab (Remicade) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha that has shown efficacy in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis with a disease-modifying activity and rapid onset of action. It is administered intravenously, generally in a schedule with initial infusions at 0, 2 and 6 weeks, followed by administration once every 8 weeks. Infliximab is effective in the treatment of patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease with an inadequate response to other treatment options or those with fistulising disease. In combination with methotrexate, infliximab reduced signs and symptoms and delayed disease progression in patients with active, methotrexate-refractory rheumatoid arthritis and in those with early disease. The drug was generally well tolerated. Recrudescence of tuberculosis infection and worsening of heart failure and demyelinating disease are among some of the concerns with anti-TNFalpha therapy, requiring cautious use of these agents in high-risk patients. Current data suggest that infliximab may be cost effective, especially when long-term clinical outcomes and burden of the diseases are taken into account. More robust, prospective pharmaco-economic studies are required to better ascertain the cost effectiveness of infliximab. Direct head-to-head comparative trials of infliximab with other biological agents are not yet available and would be helpful in determining with greater certainty the place of infliximab in the management of these diseases. Nonetheless, infliximab, like other biological agents, is a valuable treatment option in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (including fistulising disease) or rheumatoid arthritis (including early disease).
authors.affiliation: Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: M Asif A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Lesley J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab