Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
Infection and Malignancy Risk in Patients Treated with TNF Inhibitors for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
Rui Pereira1, Raquel Faria1, Paula Lago1
1Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto. Portugal.
Background:
Infectious and malignant events are responsible for morbidity and mortality in patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs). Anti-tumor necrosis factor (Anti-TNF) agents appear to have an impact, however the individual effect of these agents in the different conditions is still unclear.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to estimate the Incidence Rates (IR) of infections and malignancies in patients treated with anti-TNFs across different IMIDs, as well as potential risk factors.
Methods:
IR/100 patient-years were evaluated in adult patients treated for any IMID with an anti-TNF between January 2000 and December 2014. Predictors were tested with bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis.
Results:
The IR/100 patient-years of serious infections was 4.02 (95% CI 3.20-5.04) with significant differences across IMIDs and anti-TNF agents. The most frequent site of serious infection was the gastrointestinal system. Five cases [IR of 0.28 (95% CI 0.12-0.66) /100 patient-years] of tuberculosis were diagnosed, exclusively in patients treated with monoclonal antibodies. Three (60%) of those were extrapulmonary. The IR/100 patient-years of malignancy was 1.75 (95% CI 1.24-2-47).
Conclusion:
There is significant variability in the IR of infections across indications and agents. Thus, physicians should be thoughtful when generalizing data from literature regarding the use of an anti-TNF agent in a specific IMID. Further studies are necessary to clear aspects regarding the safety of individual anti-TNF biologics and to clarify their impact in the different IMIDs.
More Related Videos
16:07Determination 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
10:10Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses
Published on: November 16, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
The Tumor Microenvironment