Abstract
TNFα (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Infliximab (Remicade®) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that recognizes human TNFα. Clinical trials have been persuasive that infliximab is effective in both Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Infliximab is an important treatment option in patients with active Crohn's disease who have not responded to conventional therapy and in patients with Crohn's disease who have fistulae. Moreover, infliximab plus methotrexate is effective in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded adequately to traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, in terms of reducing symptoms and signs, inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving physical function.
