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TNF-α inhibitors: are they carcinogenic?

Authors Raval G, Mehta P

Published 6 December 2010 Volume 2010:2 Pages 241—247

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DHPS.S7829

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Girindra Raval1, Paulette Mehta2,3
1Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Jefferson Hills, PA, USA; 2Department of Internal Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), UAMS, Little Rock, AR, USA; 3Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA

Abstract: Biologic therapy has increasingly been used in the treatment of chronic diseases. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-TNF therapy is being used in the treatment of these conditions. Since the introduction of anti-TNF agents, there have been many case reports of development of malignancy after the initiation of anti-TNF therapy. With increasing case reports, there is growing concern that anti-TNF therapy, albeit useful in the treatment of these chronic conditions, might be associated with the development of malignancy in patients. In this review we examine the different anti-TNF agents and different studies to evaluate any possible association between use of any anti-TNF agent and development of malignancy.

Keywords: tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease

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