TNF-ALPHA INHIBITORS AND RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease with inflamma tory manifestations in the peripheral joints. The lack of an effective and safe treatment for RA. is a major problem in modem medicine. The proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is k nown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA and the use o f anti-TNF-alpha. agents as a strategy for the treatment of inflammato ry and autoimmune diseases, including RA, has become a competitive are a. This review will cover the use of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, m atrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors and some small molecule inhib itors of TNF-alpha and their potential use in RA.