title: Adalimumab (Humira™): a promising monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha in ophthalmology.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a key soluble mediator involved in the inflammatory cascade of many disorders including uveitis. Among the anti-TNF-α agents, one of the most used in immune-mediated diseases, such as inflammatory arthropathies, is adalimumab (Humira™, Abbott Pharmaceutical Inc.), a fully humanized antibody. The purpose of this review is to analyze the main pharmacological and clinical aspects of adalimumab and its efficacy both in systemic and ocular inflammatory disorders. Adalimumab was effective in treating several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. In recent years, adalimumab has been used successfully in refractory cases of intraocular inflammation. Moreover, this biological agent showed good safety and efficacy profiles in ocular use including childhood uveitis. Switching from other anti-TNF-α agents to adalimumab may offer several advantages, such as easier administration, better patient compliance, and lower rate of adverse events. Adalimumab is a promising drug for the therapy of uveitis, although further studies are needed on its application in uveitis.
authors.affiliation: The Eye Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria-Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy. p.neri@univpm.it
authors.forename: Piergiorgio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zucchi
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allegri
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lettieri
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariotti
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovannini
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab