title: Tumor necrosis factors blocking agents: analogies and differences.
abstract: Five anti-TNF agents, infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and certolizumab pegol are approved worldwide for the treatment of RA. Anti-TNF agents, bind to and neutralize soluble TNF-alpha, but exert different effects on transmembrane TNF-alpha-expressing cells (TNF-alpha-producing cells). Differences on affinity and avidity for soluble and transmembrane TNF-alpha were showed. Different activity on cells apoptosis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ACDC) were described. Some dramatic changes in gene expression were seen with all the anti-TNFs. Reviewing the biology of transmembrane TNF-alpha and its interaction with anti-TNF agents will contribute to understanding the bases of differential clinical efficacy of these promising treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital di S. Giovanni di Dio, Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze, Italy. maubenucci@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benucci
authors.forename: Gianantonio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saviola
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: Piercarlo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarzi-Puttini
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atzeni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha