Treatment of arthritis with tumour necrosis factor antagonists. Clinical, immunological and biochemical aspects
type: CreativeWork
description: Abstract The treatment of arthritis has undergone a dramatic change since biological agents targeting specific mediators of the disease process have been introduced. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists have been shown to reduce signs and symptoms of disease and to retard the development of tissue damage in the majority of patients. This thesis focuses on clinical, immunological and biochemical aspects of treatment with TNF antagonists in patients with arthritis. In particular, the studies examine: (i) the feasibility of a structured protocol with central data handling for the prospective monitoring treatment efficacy and tolerability of new treatments in clinical practice, (ii) whether serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) change during treatment with TNF antagonists in a way that corroborates a tissue protective effects of these agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), (iii) how different anti-rheumatic treatments modulate the immune response induced by polysaccharide or polypeptide vaccines in patients with RA and (iv) potential predictors of infusion reactions during treatment with infliximab. All the patients who participated in the studies were monitored according to a standardised clinical protocol of the South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group (SSATG) developed at the Department of Rheumatology in Lund. We found that such a protocol could be used for monitoring newly introduced anti-rheumatic treatments both at a university department and at other rheumatology units. The performance of TNF antagonists regarding efficacy and safety complied with results of previously published clinical trials. Serum levels of COMP were measured in RA patients treated with infliximab and etanercept during the initial 6 months of treatment. Serum COMP levels decreased in patients with and without a clinical response, suggesting a damage retarding effect of TNF antagonist treatment. Altogether, 149 patients with RA participated in studies of the immune respo…
abstract: Abstract The treatment of arthritis has undergone a dramatic change since biological agents targeting specific mediators of the disease process have been introduced. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists have been shown to reduce signs and symptoms of disease and to retard the development of tissue damage in the majority of patients. This thesis focuses on clinical, immunological and biochemical aspects of treatment with TNF antagonists in patients with arthritis. In particular, the studies examine: (i) the feasibility of a structured protocol with central data handling for the prospective monitoring treatment efficacy and tolerability of new treatments in clinical practice, (ii) whether serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) change during treatment with TNF antagonists in a way that corroborates a tissue protective effects of these agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), (iii) how different anti-rheumatic treatments modulate the immune response induced by polysaccharide or polypeptide vaccines in patients with RA and (iv) potential predictors of infusion reactions during treatment with infliximab. All the patients who participated in the studies were monitored according to a standardised clinical protocol of the South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group (SSATG) developed at the Department of Rheumatology in Lund. We found that such a protocol could be used for monitoring newly introduced anti-rheumatic treatments both at a university department and at other rheumatology units. The performance of TNF antagonists regarding efficacy and safety complied with results of previously published clinical trials. Serum levels of COMP were measured in RA patients treated with infliximab and etanercept during the initial 6 months of treatment. Serum COMP levels decreased in patients with and without a clinical response, suggesting a damage retarding effect of TNF antagonist treatment. Altogether, 149 patients with RA participated in studies of the immune respo…
author: C Kapetanovic, Meliha
language: eng
keywords: Clinical Medicine, Skelett, muskelsystem, reumatologi, Skeleton, muscle system, rheumatology locomotion, ANA, infusion reaction, influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, COMP, TNF antagonists, spondylarthropathies, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
date published: 2006
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:00:02Z
provider: University of Lund
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Department of Rheumatology, Lund University