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Determination of the Relative Potency of an Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) by Neutralizing TNF Using an In Vitro Bioanalytical Method
Published on: September 16, 2017
Tuberculosis and other infections in the anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) era
Francesca Nacci1, Marco Matucci-Cerinic
1Department of Rheumatology AVC, Medicine and Deno the Center University of Florence, Florence, Italy. nacci.fra@gmail.com
We review the global experience of infections in patients treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, which shows that the overall incidence of severe infections is at least doubled. In particular, this is true regarding tuberculosis. Screening and prophylactic measures have substantially reduced but not eliminated the risk. Recent improvements in immunologic testing for non-Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-related antigens allow more sensitive identification of latent tuberculosis and wider use of such methods holds promise as pre-treatment screening instruments.
We review the global experience of infections in patients treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, which shows that the overall incidence of severe infections is at least doubled. In particular, this is true regarding tuberculosis. Screening and prophylactic measures have substantially reduced but not eliminated the risk. Recent improvements in immunologic testing for non-Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-related antigens allow more sensitive identification of latent tuberculosis and wider use of such methods holds promise as pre-treatment screening instruments.
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