title: TNF-alpha inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. A case report and a systematic literature review.
abstract: Joint involvement is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is described as a non-erosive mild synovitis. However some SLE patients may present a more severe joint involvement requiring aggressive therapy. We describe the case of a SLE patient with a severe arthritis unresponsive to methotrexate, successfully treated with anti-TNF-alpha drug as induction therapy and we report the results of a systematic literature review on the use of TNF-alpha inhibitors in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa , Pisa Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Filice
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delle Sedie
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vagnani
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Della Rossa
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bombardieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068582:Certolizumab Pegol
keywords: Anti-TNF therapy; Joint involvement; Systemic lupus erythematosus; treatment targets