The Expanding Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors in the Management of Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

He development of biological agents has provided rheumatologists with a variety of new and effective treatment options. The success of these agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has spurred research into novel targets for the management of other rheumatic diseases. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, TNF-α inhibitors (infliximab and/or etanercept) have been approved for the use in patients suffering from Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Also the treatment of persistent monoarticular and oligoarticular arthritis, resistant to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and steroid therapies, with intra-articular anti-TNF therapy appears promising. Most importantly, such therapies have improved the quality of life and clinical outcomes in this group of patients. This article reviews the recent clinical studies published and ongoing research on the treatment of rheumatic diseases, other than rheumatoid arthritis, using these biological agents.