Adalimumab: human recombinant immunoglobulin g1 anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is involved with normal inflammatory and immune responses and with the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and Crohn's disease. The newest therapies for these inflammatory conditions include the TNF biologic response modifiers infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab. Adalimumab is a human recombinant immunoglobulin G1 anti-TNF monoclonal antibody. As monotherapy, or in combination with methotrexate or other traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, adalimumab can produce improvements in the signs and symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and can slow progression of the joint destruction. The adverse effect profile of adalimumab seems to be comparable to that of etanercept. Adalimumab also seems to be useful in the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease; however, none of these indications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and the optimal dosing regimen for these indications has not been established.