Abstract
The aetiology of systemic, autoimmune, chronic inflammatory diseases--such as rheumatoid arthritis--is not known, and their pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial. However, progress in the characterization of intercellular mediators--proteins that are now known as cytokines--has led to the realization that one cytokine, tumour-necrosis factor (TNF; previously known as TNF-alpha), has an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This discovery heralded a new era of targeted and highly effective therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis and, subsequently, other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Publication types
-
Historical Article
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / history
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
-
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
-
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / history*
-
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
-
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy
-
Chronic Disease
-
Clinical Trials as Topic / history
-
Cytokines / history
-
Female
-
History, 20th Century
-
Humans
-
Male
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / history*
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
Substances
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal
-
Cytokines
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha