Anti-tumour Necrosis Factor Therapy (anti-tumour + necrosis_factor_therapy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Practical guidelines for treating inflammatory bowel disease safely with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in Australia

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
W. Connell
Abstract Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is an effective but expensive option for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Its use is generally reserved for patients with severe refractory disease, often involving long-term administration. Anti-TNF therapy has the potential to be associated with various adverse effects, such as infection, malignancy and immunogenicity. Clinicians and patients should be familiar with these possibilities and adopt appropriate precautions prior to and during treatment to minimize risk. Guidelines have been developed for Australian prescribers intending to use anti-TNF therapy in IBD by a Working Party commissioned by IBD-Australia, a Special Interest Group affiliated with the Gastroenterology Society of Australia. [source]


Prospective assessment of the effect on quality of life of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy for perineal Crohn's fistulas

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2009
S. C. NG
Summary Background, Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy effectively treats Crohn's perineal fistulas (CPF); the effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains unknown. Aims, To evaluate the effect of anti-TNF therapy on the HRQoL of patients with CPF in daily clinical practice. Methods, Prospective evaluation of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) responses, disease activity (Perianal Disease Activity Index , PDAI), and HRQoL assessment [Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ)] in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy for CPF treated up to 12 months. Results, In all, 26 patients with CPF were treated (mean age 39 years; 19 infliximab, 7 adalimumab). At baseline, 85% patients had impaired IBDQ scores (mean 137; ,normal' >170). At 12 months, mean increases in IBDQ score for infliximab and adalimumab treated patients were 40 and 41 points respectively (P < 0.05). There were significant improvements in all IBDQ subscores (bowel, emotional, systemic, social) at 12 months (all P , 0.003). Fourteen patients (74%) on infliximab and six on adalimumab (86%) achieved IBDQ score ,170. Mean increase in IBDQ score was 50, 34 and 16 points in patients with clinical fistula closure (P < 0.001), clinical response (P = 0.002) and no response (n = 1) respectively. IBDQ score increased for patients with MRI healing (P < 0.001) and MRI improvement (P = 0.016), but not for those with no MRI change (n = 2). IBDQ correlated significantly with PDAI at baseline and at 12 months. Conclusion, Anti-TNF therapy improves HRQoL in patients with CPF at 12 months and this improvement is most pronounced in patients with clinical and MRI healing. [source]


The safety profile of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice: analysis of 620 patient-years follow-up

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2009
C. W. LEES
Summary Background, Anti-TNF agents are now widely used in Crohn's disease (CD), and in ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim, To review the safety profile of anti-TNF agents in all patients treated with infliximab in Edinburgh from 1999 to 2007. Methods, Complete data were available on 202/207 patients comprising 157 CD, 42 UC and three coeliac disease. Median follow-up was 2.4 years (1.0,4.9) with a total of 620 patient-years follow-up. About 19.1% of CD patients were subsequently treated with adalimumab. Results, Seven deaths (3.3%) occurred in follow-up; only one death was <1 year post-infliximab (at day 72, from lung cancer). A total of six malignancies (three haematological, three bronchogenic) and six cases of suspected demyelination (three with confirmed neurological disease) were reported. In the 90 days following infliximab, 95 adverse events (36 serious) occurred in 58/202 (28.7%) patients. In all, 42/202 (20.8%) had an infectious event (22 serious) and 27/202 (13.4%) of patients had an infusion reaction: 19 acute (four serious) and eight delayed (three serious). Conclusions, Serious infections, malignancies and neurological disease complicate anti-TNF use in clinical practice. Although evidence for causality is unclear, potential mechanisms and predisposing factors need to be explored. In individual patients, the risk/benefit analysis needs to be carefully assessed and discussed prior to commencement of therapy. [source]


Development of Crohn's disease following anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy (etanercept)

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 9 2008
V. Yazisiz
Inhibition of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Anti-TNF antibodies such as infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab are commonly used. There are structural and functional differences among these agents. We describe development of Crohn's disease in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis receiving anti-TNF therapy. This case suggests that the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients on anti-TNF therapy must be evaluated to find out whether this is a new onset or an exacerbation of underlying inflammatory bowel disease. [source]