Table 2 Diseases in which tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockade is therapeutic
From: Multiple roles for tumor necrosis factor-α and lymphotoxin α/β in immunity and autoimmunity
Disease | Intervention | Result | Mechanism | Reference | |
1a. | Rheumatoid arthritis | Anti-TNF, soluble TNFR | 65% of patients have a dramatic decrease in disease activity | Blockade of TNF-induced inflammatory response (? decreased macrophage activation) | [16] |
1b. | Rheumatoid arthritis | Anti-TNF, soluble TNFR | Up to 15% of patients develop α-dsDNA antibodies. 0.2% develop mild SLE | ? T-cell activation | [16] |
1c. | Rheumatoid arthritis | Anti-TNF, soluble TNFR | A few patients develop CNS findings suggestive of MS | ? T-cell activation | [17] |
2. | Crohn's disease | Anti-TNF, soluble TNFR | Dramatic decrease in disease activity in up to 80% of patients | ? Decreased monocyte/macrophage activation | [18] |
3. | Psoriasis | Anti-TNF | Dramatic clearing of skin lesions, decrease in associated arthritis | Blockade of TNF-induced inflammation | [19] |