pmc logo imageJournal ListSearchpmc logo image
Logo of tcriskmanJournal URL: redirect3.cgi?&&auth=0NOepfhduy2dJxMyrttFAzTEYVMMcKF1LgKjvFQrH&reftype=publisher&article-id=2643111&issue-id=176695&journal-id=370&FROM=Article|Banner&TO=Publisher|Other|N%2FA&rendering-type=normal&&http://dovepress.com/articles.php?journal_id=68
Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 December; 4(6): 1305–1313.
Published online 2008 December.
PMCID: PMC2643111
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor treatment for sarcoidosis
José Luis Callejas-Rubio, Lourdes López-Pérez, and Norberto Ortego-Centeno
Unit of Autoimmune Systemic Diseases, Hospital Clinico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
Correspondence: José Luis Callejas-Rubio, Unit of Autoimmune Systemic Diseases, Hospital Clinico San Cecilio, Avda Dr Olóriz s/n 18007, Granada, Spain, Tel +34 958 023 558, Email jlcalleja/at/telefonica.net
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystem disease of unknown etiology, characterized by noncaseating granulomatous infiltration of virtually any organ system. Treatment is often undertaken in an attempt to resolve symptoms or prevent progression to organ failure. Previous studies have suggested a prominent role for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the inflammatory process seen in sarcoidosis. TNF-α and interleukin-1 are released by alveolar macrophages in patients with active lung disease. Corticosteroids have proved to be efficacious in the treatment of sarcoidosis, possibly by suppressing the production of TNF-α and other cytokines. Three agents are currently available as specific TNF antagonists: etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab. Although data from noncomparative trials suggest that all three have comparable therapeutic effects in rheumatoid arthritis, their effects in a granulomatous disease such as sarcoidosis are less consistent. In this review, current data on the effectiveness are summarized.
Keywords: sarcoidosis, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, anti-TNA alpha