Afelimomab

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is well established as a key mediator in the inflammatory response seen in various disease processes including sepsis. TNF-alpha is involved in virtually all features of septic shock and multiple organ failure. Anti-TNF-alpha strategies are thus appealing and have been effective at reducing inflammation and morbidity in certain conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Afelimomab is the F(ab')2 fragment of a murine anti-TNF-alpha antibody, and has been evaluated in clinical trials in septic patients. The results suggest that the drug is well tolerated, and may be of benefit in certain groups of patients with sepsis. A large, randomised, clinical trial of afelimomab in patients with severe sepsis has recently been completed and the results are eagerly awaited. More work is necessary to identify a means of selecting which patients are most likely to benefit from this type of therapy in sepsis.