Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Infliximab (IFX) is a chimeric (mouse/human) anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD). It is a source of potential immunogenicity for humans, with the occurrence of anti-infliximab antibodies (ATIs), which are thought to interfere with the pharmacodynamics and/or pharmacokinetics of the compound. It remains unclear whether ATIs have any clinical importance for drug efficacy or safety. We review studies specifically evaluating the incidence of ATIs in CD and their impact on the efficacy and safety of IFX. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken by electronic searches of the PubMed and SCOPUS databases from earliest records to October 2008, as well as reference lists of all relevant articles and relevant abstracts from meetings. RESULTS: The biological and clinical mechanisms of ATI development are poorly understood. The incidence of ATIs in vivo depends on multiple analytical and clinical factors, both patient- and treatment-related. The presence of ATIs is weakly and variably associated with clinical response or infusion reactions, but not with reactions relevant to clinical decision-making. Enormous variation in the methods of reporting ATIs and immunogenicity of IFX make almost any interpretation possible from different studies, but few have clinical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear evidence that ATIs have an impact on efficacy or safety, nor a need to measure or prevent them in clinical practice. Circulating drug concentration may be a more relevant measure of immunogenicity.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/ibd.20899

Type

Journal article

Journal

Inflamm Bowel Dis

Publication Date

08/2009

Volume

15

Pages

1264 - 1275

Keywords

Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antibody Formation, Crohn Disease, Humans, Infliximab, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha