TNF involvement and anti-TNF therapy of reactive and unclassified arthritis

R. Meador, E. Hsia, T. Kitumnuaypong, H.R. Schumacher

Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

ABSTRACT
A growing body of evidence shows that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is also involved in the pathogenesis of reactive and unclassified arthritis. Elevated levels of TNF-a and other pro-inflammatory cytokines are seen in these inflammatory arthropathies. The clinical effect on a potential underlying infection is not known, but several studies have suggested at least short-term effectiveness and safety of anti-TNF-a therapy in reactive and unclassified arthritis.

Key words
Cytokines, reactive arthritis, Chlamydia, unclassified arthritis.

Please address correspondence to: H. Ralph Schumacher, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3rd Ravdin Building, 34th and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2002; 20: (Suppl. 28): S130-S134.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2002.