[Are there differences among anti-TNFα biological drugs?].
OBJECTIVE
To provide an analysis and a guide tool in using TNFα-antagonists in the current clinical practice.


METHODS
Review of the literature on the differences among the three TNFα-antagonists in terms of molecular structure, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, effects on the immune and neuroendocrine systems, and therapeutic indications.


CONCLUSIONS
Unfortunately, results of direct comparison studies are lacking. One could obviate this problem by performing statistical-mathematical extrapolations, but there are very few and very small-sized published experimental evidences.
Valesini
G
G
Dipartimento di Clinica e Terapia Medica Applicata, Cattedra di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma, Italia. guido.valesini@uniroma1.it
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept