Open AccessAdalimumab (HumiraTM) in ophthalmology: A review of the literature
Author(s) -
Piergiorgio Neri,
Marta Lettieri,
Cinzia Fortuna,
Manuela Zucchi,
Mara Mai,
S. Celani,
A. Giovannini
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
middle east african journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.357
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 0975-1599
pISSN - 0974-9233
DOI - 10.4103/0974-9233.71588
Subject(s) - adalimumab , medicine , uveitis , rheumatoid arthritis , psoriasis , ankylosing spondylitis , tumor necrosis factor alpha , infliximab , psoriatic arthritis , dermatology , arthritis , immunology
Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine which plays a primary role in the induction of inflammation in autoimmune diseases. The newest anti-TNF-α agent is adalimumab (Humira, Abbott Pharmaceutical Inc.), a human-derived antibody. This review summarizes the characteristics of adalimumab, highlighting its clinical use in systemic and ocular inflammatory disorders, and the possible therapeutic strategies. Adalimumab has been successfully used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis arthritis. More recently, adalimumab has shown promising qualities in controlling intraocular inflammations, even though this has been used prevalently as a rescue therapy for unresponsive cases. This biologic agent was also used in pediatric cases, showing a good safety and efficacy profile. Albeit no direct comparison with other biologics has been done, and adalimumab seems to be equivalent to the other anti-TNF-α, the switching to adalimumab can offer a better uveitic control. Adalimumab is a promising drug for the treatment of uveitis, even though further studies are needed on its application as a primary therapy in uveitis.