REPEATED THERAPY WITH MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY TO TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA (CA2) IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Our in-vitro, animal, and early clinical data suggest that tumour necr osis factor or (TNF alpha) is an important target for specific biologi cal therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. We report the results of repealed treatment with a chimeric monoclonal antibody to TNF alpha (cA2) in p atients having disease flares. 7 patients originally enrolled in an op en-label trial completed two to four cycles, each of which was followe d by a good clinical response, with median improvements in the swollen -joint count and C-reactive protein exceeding 80%, cA2 may be useful t herapy in the control of acute disease flares in rheumatoid arthritis and treatment programmes including cA2 may be effective in the long-te rm management of this disease.