Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

In medicine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha is a "serum glycoprotein produced by activated macrophages and other mammalian mononuclear leukocytes. It has necrotizing activity against tumor cell lines and increases ability to reject tumor transplants. Also known as TNF-alpha, it is only 30% homologous to tnf-beta (lymphotoxin), but they share TNF receptors.^[1]

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors

• TNFR-Fc fusion protein (etanercept - pronounced et a ner' set) blocks the activity of TNF-alpha.^[2] Etanercept is used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.^[3]
• Infliximab (pronounced in flix' i mab)is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of TNF-alpha by binding to it.^[4]

Adverse effects

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors increase susceptibility to serious infections.^[5]

References

1. ↑ Anonymous, (2009) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. ↑ The most up-to-date information about Etanercept and other drugs can be found at the following sites.
   • Etanercept - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
   • Etanercept - Drug information for consumers from MedMaster (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
   • Etanercept - Detailed information from DrugBank.
3. ↑ Gorman JD, Sack KE, Davis JC (May 2002). Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha. N. Engl. J. Med. 346 (18): 1349–56. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa012664. PMID 11986408.
4. ↑ The most up-to-date information about Infliximab and other drugs can be found at the following sites.
   • Infliximab - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
   • Infliximab - Drug information for consumers from MedMaster (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
   • Infliximab - Detailed information from DrugBank.
5. ↑ Anonymous (2008). FDA MedWatch - 2008 Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.