Anti-TNF-alpha therapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are chronic diseases in which inflammation of the airways leads to progressive transient airway obstruction and TNF-alpha plays an important pro-inflammatory role.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the plausibility of anti-TNF-alpha therapies playing an anti-inflammatory role in asthma and COPD.


METHODS
Scientific rationale of TNF-alpha targeting in asthma and COPD was assessed individually and the available data on the use of anti-TNF-alpha in each disease were reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-TNF-alpha therapies demonstrate different efficacies in asthma and COPD and further supportive preclinical and clinical data are needed, especially about subsets of certain diseases which could benefit the most from these therapies.
Antoniu
Sabina A
SA
'Gr.T.Popa' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Division of Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Disease University Hospital, 30 Dr I Cihac Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania. sabina.antonela.antoniu@pneum.umfiasi.ro
Mihaltan
Florin
F
Ulmeanu
Ruxandra
R
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept