Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2025
04:50
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
104
Anti-TNF Alpha and Risk of Lymphoma in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
1Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|July 27, 2024
Summary
This study found no significant lymphoma risk increase in rheumatoid arthritis patients using anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents compared to conventional treatments. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology and Oncology
- Immunology and Cancer Risk Assessment
Background:
- Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapies are crucial for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management.
- TNF-α plays a role in immune surveillance, raising concerns about potential lymphoma risk with anti-TNF-α agents.
Approach:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.
- Searched multiple databases (Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar) for relevant literature.
- Assessed risk ratios (RRs) and confidence intervals (CIs), evaluating heterogeneity and bias.
Key Points:
- Meta-analysis of RCTs (3,772 participants) showed no significant difference in lymphoma risk between anti-TNF-α and conventional treatments (RR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.32-5.16).
- Observational studies (177,963 participants) exhibited heterogeneity (I²=95%), with some suggesting a potential risk in specific subgroups but yielding inconsistent results (RR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.59-3.47).
- Overall, no conclusive evidence of increased lymphoma risk associated with anti-TNF-α therapy in RA patients was found.
Conclusions:
- Current systematic review and meta-analysis indicate no statistically significant increase in lymphoma risk for RA patients treated with anti-TNF-α agents compared to conventional therapies.
- Limitations in the included studies necessitate further research to validate these findings.
- Future studies should focus on identifying potential risk factors for lymphoma development in RA patients undergoing anti-TNF-α treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
967
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
967
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
124
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
124
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
8.8K
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
8.8K
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
13.3K
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
13.3K
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
149
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
149