Immunological basis for the use of TNFalpha-blocking agents in ankylosing spondylitis and immunological changes during treatment

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2002 Nov-Dec;20(6 Suppl 28):S34-7.

Abstract

TNFalpha is expressed in high amounts at the site of inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis, which provided the basis to initiate treatment studies with TNF-blocking agents. We could show that the immunological effects of infliximab and etanercept differ in patients with AS, although the clinical effect was similarly good. While infliximab induced a downregulation of the production of the T-helper 1-cytokines IFNgamma and TNFalpha, etanercept treatment triggered rather an upregulation of these cytokines secreted by T cells after in vitro stimulation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Etanercept
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Infliximab
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Infliximab
  • Etanercept