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Circulating bioactive TNF in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab: link to clinical response

Background

Infliximab is an anti-tumor-necrosis-factor (anti-TNF) antibody used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective

To clarify heterogeneity in patient response, a bioassay was established to measure functional circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Results

Culture of TNF activated synoviocytes with plasma samples before and after infliximab treatment showed an increased production of IL-6 that was strongly reduced by treatment. This pattern was associated with a good clinical response, and bioactive TNF levels detected with this bioassay were correlated with TNF levels measured by ELISA. This was not observed in patients with a poor response. The functional circulating bioactive TNF was significantly (P < 0.001) more elevated in subset with a good biological response than bad responders. No correlation was observed with levels of soluble receptors.

Conclusion

This result suggests the importance of systemic bioactive TNF in such response.

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Marotte, H., Miossec, P. Circulating bioactive TNF in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with infliximab: link to clinical response. Arthritis Res Ther 5 (Suppl 1), 49 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1186/ar679

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/ar679

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