Tumour necrosis factor-alpha blockers in rheumatoid arthritis: review of the clinical experience

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been found to play a central role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, leading to development of novel drug therapies that neutralise the deleterious effects of this cytokine. This new concept of immunobiological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has yielded successful results. Although the 2 currently available TNFalpha blockers, infliximab and etanercept, differ in structure, mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics, they have provided similar benefits both in clinical improvement and in slowing and even arresting the progression of radiographic damage. This therapeutic response seems to be unequalled by "conventional" treatments in rheumatoid arthritis, and is incontestably a turning point in the therapeutic management of this disease.