Autoimmune diseases induced by TNF-targeted therapies

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Oct;22(5):847-61. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2008.09.008.

Abstract

Anti-TNF agents are increasingly being used for a rapidly expanding number of rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases. As a result of this use, and of the longer follow-up periods of treatment, there are a growing number of reports of the development of autoimmune processes related to anti-TNF agents. The clinical characteristics, outcomes, and patterns of association with the different anti-TNF agents used in all reports of autoimmune diseases developing after TNF-targeted therapy, were analyzed through a baseline Medline search of articles published between January 1990 and May 2008 (www.biogeas.org). A total of 379 cases of autoimmune diseases secondary to TNF-targeted therapies were identified. The anti-TNF agents were administered for rheumatoid arthritis in more than 80% of cases. The use of anti-TNF agents has been associated with an increasing number of cases of autoimmune diseases, principally cutaneous vasculitis, lupus-like syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and interstitial lung disease. Other autoimmune diseases associated with TNF-targeted therapies have been recently described, e.g. sarcoidosis, antiphospholipid syndrome-related features, and autoimmune hepatitis or uveitis. Large, prospective, postmarketing studies are required to evaluate the risk of developing autoimmune diseases in patients receiving TNF-targeted therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / chemically induced
  • MEDLINE
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha