TNF-α inhibitors in systemic vasculitides and connective tissue diseases

Peter Lamprecht*

*Corresponding author for this work
26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The introduction of TNF-α inhibitors in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and several other diseases meant a major progress in the management and to the understanding of these chronic inflammatory diseases. In this article, the evidence of the role of TNF-α and for TNF-α inhibitors in systemic vasculitides and connective tissue diseases is reviewed. TNF-α is expressed in inflammatory lesions. TNF-α acts as a proinflammatory cytokine in most disease processes analyzed so far, but it might have anti-inflammatory properties under certain conditions as well, e.g. with respect to B-cell regulation in systemic lupus erythematosus. It is not clear to what extent such aspects will be important in the treatment of connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitides with TNF-α inhibitors. So far, most case reports and case series have suggested favourable results with TNF-α inhibitor therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus, dermato- and polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis. Results of randomized, placebo-controlled trials are awaited for several connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitides. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial has found no efficacy of infliximab treatment in primary Sjögren's syndrome recently.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAutoimmunity Reviews
Volume4
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)28-34
Number of pages7
ISSN1568-9972
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.2005

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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