title: Influence of anti-TNF immunogenicity on safety in rheumatic disease: a narrative review.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists have been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions. The use of anti-TNF agents, combined with improved diagnosis, aggressive regimens and regular monitoring, have substantially improved patient outcomes. However, all biological agents are immunogenic, resulting in the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), which can neutralize drug activity leading to loss of response and potential relapse. In addition, ADAs can also cause serious adverse events such as infusion hypersensitivity reactions. Areas covered: This narrative review of studies investigating the immunogenicity and clinical safety implications of TNF antagonists confirms that structural and pharmacological differences between agents results in differences in the probabilities and outcomes of immunogenicity. Expert opinion: Anti-TNF therapies have been shown to trigger auto-immune responses such as a lupus-like syndrome. Despite the fact that all biological agents have the potential for immunogenic reactions and a number of predisposing factors have been identified, the mechanisms remain to be completely clarified and the assessment of immunogenicity and its clinical relevance is matter of discussion. There are many questions regarding immunogenicity that still need answering to better optimize anti-TNF treatment in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease.
authors.affiliation: a Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Biomedicine , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matucci
authors.affiliation: a Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Biomedicine , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cammelli
authors.affiliation: b Division of Rheumatology , Misericordia e Dolce Hospital , Prato , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cantini
authors.affiliation: c Translational Research Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preclinical Research , National Institute for Infectious Diseases , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goletti
authors.affiliation: d Medical Department , Pfizer , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: e Department of Pediatric Hematology , Oncology and Transplant Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Milano
authors.affiliation: f Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.affiliation: g Hypertension Unit, Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology , University of Rome Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital , Rome , Italy.|h IRCCS Neuromed , Pozzilli , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tocci
authors.affiliation: i Center for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE , University of Florence , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.affiliation: a Immunoallergology Unit, Department of Biomedicine , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi , Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vultaggio
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Anti-drug antibodies; anti-TNF agents; immunogenicity; rheumatic disease; safety