Switching the therapy from etanercept to infliximab in a child with rheumatoid factor positive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-blocking agents have been used increasingly in the treatment of severe refractory juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, some patients have been forced to discontinue these agents because of the lack of efficacy or adverse events. In these situations, cases of switching from one TNF-blocking agent to another are reported in rheumatoid arthritis, but there are few cases in JIA. This report documents the case of a patient with JIA who improved following a switch from etanercept to infliximab.