Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition with inflixiMAB in cancer therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a central cytotoxic and proinflammator y cytokine, Research on the benefits of TNF-alpha inhibition as a form of t herapy has focused almost exclusively on autoimmune, inflammatory disorders . InflixiMAB, a chimeric antibody to human TNF-alpha, was recently approved for the management of Crohn disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The potentia l applications of inflixiMAB in the management of cancer are just beginning to be explored. This article reviews the biology, mechanism of action, pha rmacology, and toxicity of inflixiMAB. Existing clinical experience and inf lixiMAB's potential role as an immunosuppressant and antitumor agent in the management of cancer are also discussed. Curr Opin Oncol 2000, 12:582-587 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.