title: Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors--what we need to know.
abstract: Biologics have revolutionised the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. Earlier in 2006, New Zealand's Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) approved adalimumab (anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] agent) for treatment of severe, unresponsive rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients. Etanercept has been available for chronic juvenile arthritis in selected, younger patients in New Zealand. This review article describes some of the common adverse events related to anti-TNF inhibitors and the importance of establishing guidelines for surveillance in the New Zealand health system.
authors.affiliation: Capital and Coast District Health Board. umbzaf@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Umbreen
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hasan
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; 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* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept