Treatment of therapy-resistant sarcoidosis with adalimumab

A possible role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in the pathomechanism of sarcoidosis must be considered in the analysis of this disorder since elevated concentrations of this cytokine have been found. In addition, TNFalpha expression could be demonstrated in sarcoid granulomata [1]. It is well known that TNFalpha plays a crucial role in granulomatous inflammation, e.g., in mycobacterial diseases [2]. Therefore, TNFalpha blockade is a potential approach in the therapy for sarcoidosis. Up to now, various cases of therapy-resistant sarcoidosis treated with anti-TNFalpha (infliximab and etanercept) have been reported [3-8]. Here, we describe successful treatment using adalimumab, a human recombinant immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 anti-TNF monoclonal antibody [9].