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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shanahan, JC; St Clair, W
Published in: Clin Immunol
June 2002

Overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic inflammatory diseases. In RA, excessive production of TNF-alpha can drive synovial inflammation and proliferation as well as degradation of articular cartilage and bone. The importance of TNF-alpha in these mechanisms is supported by the results of clinical trials. In these studies, treatment with etanercept and infliximab, two recently approved TNF-alpha inhibitors, has been shown to significantly decrease the signs and symptoms of joint inflammation and slow the progression of radiological joint damage. Although TNF-alpha inhibitors have had acceptable toxicity in clinical trials, commercial use of these agents has produced growing concerns about the potential risk for opportunistic infections, most notably the reactivation of latent tuberculosis. The TNF-alpha inhibitors stand as a powerful example of the therapeutic potential of a targeted biological agent. Longer-term clinical experience with these cytokine antagonists will illuminate their optimal use in RA and other rheumatic diseases.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Clin Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1521-6616

Publication Date

June 2002

Volume

103

Issue

3 Pt 1

Start / End Page

231 / 242

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Infliximab
  • Immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Humans
  • Etanercept
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Antirheumatic Agents
 

Citation

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Shanahan, J. C., & St Clair, W. (2002). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease. Clin Immunol, 103(3 Pt 1), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1006/clim.2002.5191
Shanahan, Joseph C., and William St Clair. “Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease.Clin Immunol 103, no. 3 Pt 1 (June 2002): 231–42. https://doi.org/10.1006/clim.2002.5191.
Shanahan JC, St Clair W. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease. Clin Immunol. 2002 Jun;103(3 Pt 1):231–42.
Shanahan, Joseph C., and William St Clair. “Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease.Clin Immunol, vol. 103, no. 3 Pt 1, June 2002, pp. 231–42. Pubmed, doi:10.1006/clim.2002.5191.
Shanahan JC, St Clair W. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade: a novel therapy for rheumatic disease. Clin Immunol. 2002 Jun;103(3 Pt 1):231–242.
Journal cover image

Published In

Clin Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1521-6616

Publication Date

June 2002

Volume

103

Issue

3 Pt 1

Start / End Page

231 / 242

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Infliximab
  • Immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Humans
  • Etanercept
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Antirheumatic Agents