title: Role of adalimumab in the management of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
abstract: Treatment of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other pediatric rheumatic diseases has evolved. Where once there was only a limited arsenal of medications, with significant side effects and inadequate efficacy, today, with an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases, there is a wider variety of more targeted and effective treatments. TNF-α is a cytokine involved in a number of inflammatory pathways in pediatric rheumatic diseases. The emergence of biologic modifiers that target TNF-α has been pivotal in providing the ability to deliver early and aggressive treatment. Adalimumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody to TNF-α, is an important therapeutic option, which affords children and adolescents with chronic illnesses an improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine Anne B
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Marzan
keywords: TNF-α; adalimumab; juvenile idiopathic arthritis; pediatric; rheumatic diseases; treatment