title: Drug safety evaluation of certolizumab pegol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of antibodies directed against tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) has dramatically changed our concept of treating both patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Subcutaneous injections with certolizumab pegol (CZP) have been shown efficacious for both CD and RA. In this review, the authors focus on the safety of CZP among other anti-TNF agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search till June 2013 was performed to identify all trials studying CZP in patients with CD and RA. In addition, abstracts of major congresses were assessed. The authors first focused on the mechanism of action of CZP, and evaluated the efficacy of this drug in both CD and RA. Next, they explored the available safety data on CZP, including infection and malignancy risk, injection site reactions, the development of antibodies against CZP, as well as its use during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the provided literature, CZP seems to have a similar safety profile to other anti-TNF agents. However, in young females considering pregnancy, CZP may be advocated over other anti-TNF agents as it does not actively cross the placenta.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Gastroenterology , Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven , Belgium +32 16 34 42 25 ; +32 16 34 44 19 ; marc.ferrante@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vermeire
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rutgeerts
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol