title: [Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with anti-TNF-alpha antibody (Remicade). Individual monitoring of bioavailability and immunogenicity--secondary publication].
abstract: Remicade/infliximab is effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but response failure is frequent. Sera from 106 RA patients were monitored using an RIA for functional infliximab and an RIA for anti-infliximab antibody (Ab). S-infliximab varied considerably, e.g. 0-22 microg/ml before the 3rd infusion, and 44% were Ab-positive after 6 months. Low s-infliximab was associated with Ab development and later therapeutic failure, and high Ab levels could be related to dose increases, side-effects and cessation of therapy. Pharmacological monitoring should help optimize anti-TNF therapies.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, Institut for Inflammationsforskning (IIR), BioMonitor ApS, Symbion. kben@mail.dk
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bendtzen
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geborek
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svenson
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Meliha C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kapetanovic
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saxne