Over the last decade, the advent of biologic agents has greatly revolutionized therapeutic medicine in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. Elucidation of the complex web of cytokine network and the roles of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders provided one of the key catalysts for the advancement of targeted biologic therapy in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
TNF-alpha is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Elevated levels of TNF-alpha have been demonstrated in Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting a role for TNF-alpha in their pathogenesis. Although TNF-alpha plays a critical role in the activation of innate and acquired immune responses, the persistence of the immune response and inappropriate production of TNF-alpha can produce pathological changes resulting from chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the development, pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of the currently available TNF-alpha inhibitors—etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab. The most recent preclinical and clinical data is presented on this topic, which should be of interest to the preclinical researcher, the clinician, and the patient who wants to learn more about these therapies.