Cytokine blockade in rheumatoid arthritis

As we enter the 2000's it is clear that cytokine blockade is an effective therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis. In this brief review, we will review the rationale for anti TNFalpha therapy, the current status of therapy and focus on the regulation of TNFalpha production in rheumatoid synovium. New approaches to studying TNF regulation in RA and of elucidating the controversial role of T cells in this complex disease will be described.