The heart and anticytokine therapy
Kotyla, P.ła.J.; Kucharz, E.J.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie 68(3): 274-278
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5147 PMID: 26753213 Document Number: 682998
Treatment targeting TNF revolutionized management for rheumatoid arthritis patients offering attainment of clinical remission, preventing patients from disability and improving their quality of life. Anti-cytokine therapy, however may in some circumstance contribute to development of serious adverse effects, including congestive heart failure. The heart failure in patients treated with anti-TNF agents seems to be paradoxical as TNF plays an important pathogenetic role in both conditions. In congestive heart failure, TNF may act as a regulatory factor and may stabilize the heart function, so TNF blockade may result in progression of the heart failure. In this paper, the pathogenetic role of TNF has been discussed with the special emphasis to the role of cytokine in conditions of heart failure and systemic inflammation.