The yin and yang of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have proven highly effective against a number of autoimmune diseases but have been disappointing in treating others. An increase in the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections has been noted in patients treated with these agents. If we use these drugs, we need to weigh their beneficial and adverse effects.
Section of Clinical Immunology, Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Disease, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA. calabrl@ccf.org
Leonard
L
Calabrese
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept