[Demyelinating neuropathy during anti-TNF alpha treatment with a review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) blockers are efficient in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, but can induce CNS adverse effects including retrobulbar optic neuritis or aggravation of multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
We report a case of progressive demyelinating polyneuropathy after initiation of Adalimumab (Humira). Corticosteroid and intravenous immunoglobulins were ineffective but the neuropathy improved within six months after adalimunab discontinuation.


CONCLUSIONS
This case, and other reports recently published suggest that anti-TNF alpha drugs can induce demyelinating neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be on the lookout for signs evocating neuropathy in patients given anti TNF alpha.
Hamon
M A
MA
Département de neurologie, CHU, 49933 Angers.
Nicolas
G
G
Deviere
F
F
Letournel
F
F
Dubas
F
F
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab