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Infliximab: a chimeric anti-TNF-A monoclonal antibody for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthritides

Dominique Baeten

Infliximab is a chimeric, monclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor α. Extending previous findings in other chronic inflammatory diseases, recent double-blind, placebocontrolled, randomized trials have provided large and consistent evidence that infliximab treatment induces a major clinical benefit in ankylosing spondylitis. Before the introduction of infliximab, physiotherapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only partially controlled signs and symptoms of this frequent and invalidating form of arthritis, affecting axial and peripheral joints in young adults. Infliximab rapidly and profoundly improves symptoms, suppresses inflammation, ameliorates global disease activity, and leads to an important gain in function, mobility, and ultimately, quality of life. The treatment has a favorable risk/benefit ratio that is maintained over the long term, but discontinuation leads to rapid clinical relapse.