title: Anti-TNF-alpha inhibitors: a new therapeutic approach for inflammatory immune-mediated diseases: an update upon efficacy and adverse events.
abstract: The ongoing progresses in the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of various inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases and the availability of innovative biotechnological approaches have lead to the development of new drugs which add to conventional treatments. TNF-alpha inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept) have demonstrated efficacy either as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-inflammatory or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The efficacy and safety profile of the TNF-alpha inhibitors can be considered, in general, as a class effect. Nevertheless, some differences may exist among the three agents. In this paper, we will briefly review the indications for the use of the three TNF-alpha inhibitors, the pre-treatment considerations and the reported adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. giuseppe.murdaca@unige.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murdaca
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puppo
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069285:Infliximab; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept