[Anti-TNF-alpha chimeric antibody (infliximab)].
Infliximab, chimeric anti-TNF- alpha monoclonal antibody, was developed as a therapeutic agent for RA. Large body of evidence has revealed that infliximab rapidly ameliorates clinical symptoms and signs. Additionally, multicenter large clinical trials (the ATTRACT and the ASPIRE study) have shown that infliximab prevents radiological progression and repairs radiological damages in some cases. These evidences suggest that early treatment with infliximab can stop bone erosions and prevent joint deformity in patients with RA. Though infliximab is a very costly agent, a recent report suggests infliximab may be socioeconomically better than traditional DMARDs due to maintaining employability. It is necessary to confirm the real usefulness (cost-effectiveness and long-term safety) of infliximab in the treatment of RA in Japan.
Amano
Koichi
K
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D051379:Mice; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab