Introduction
The immune system is essential for the survival of every human being. In the course of evolution, the human immune system has evolved into the so-called adaptive immune system. This gives us the possibility to react more differentiated and effective to bacteria and viruses.
The immune system protects us. It helps us to better survive the fight with inflammations. There are many different so-called inflammation modulators.
For example, the so-called tumour necrosis factor alpha, which is abbreviated as TNF-α. Together with other factors, this ensures that inflammation and tumour cells are eliminated before they can cause disease. But these “bodyguards” of our body can also become “criminals”.
Because sometimes our immune system turns against us. In these cases, autoimmune diseases develop that are difficult to treat with drugs. This is where biologicals come in.
Biologics are also called biopharmaceuticals or biopharmaceuticals. These are drugs that are produced in genetically modified organisms using various means of biotechnology. Examples of these drugs are so-called “monoclonal antibodies” or so-called “fusion proteins“. The TNF-α inhibitors, including the TNF-alpha receptor antagonists, belong to this group of drugs. A well-known biological is adalimumab, also known under the trade name Humira.
Indications
TNF-α- receptor antagonists are used in inflammatory, chronic autoimmune diseases. This means they are indicated in all diseases where the body’s own immune system fights against the body instead of fighting for it. TNF-α often plays a major role in this process.
It ensures that certain cells begin to behave like so-called macrophages and thus destroy tissue, bones, cartilage and, depending on the disease, other body cells. Concrete indications are, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, so-called juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis arthritis, plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Biologics, such as the TNF-α receptor antagonists, are used when no other drugs help with the above-mentioned diseases or cause too many side effects.
Bekhterev’s disease is an inflammatory, chronic autoimmune disease. It belongs to the rheumatic group of diseases. It is counted among the so-called spondylarthritides.
In Bekhterev’s disease, the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys bone and cartilage cells in the pelvic and back region. This can lead to joint pain and deformities in the corresponding areas of the body. Under certain circumstances, TNF-α receptor antagonists can also be used.
They inhibit the messenger substance TNF-α. Since this messenger plays a major role in the inflammatory process, TNF- inhibition blocks the disease process. This can alleviate the symptoms and delay the progression of the disease.
The colloquial psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis in technical jargon. It manifests itself as severe psoriasis of the skin with itching and burning pain. It can occur in different degrees of severity.
For moderate to severe severity, TNF-α receptor antagonists are sometimes used. This severity of the disease is referred to when more than 10% of the skin surface is affected or the skin changes show in particularly visible parts of the body, such as the hands or face. A very severe degree of suffering of the patients is also a criterion for the classification of moderate to severe psoriasis.
In some cases, Biologikas may already be used without all other active ingredients having failed or the presence of side effects having to be proven. The TNF-α receptor antagonists are able to contain the inflammatory reactions at the site where they occur, thus enabling the affected patients to improve their quality of life. In addition, secondary diseases that can result from psoriasis, such as depression, can be prevented to a certain extent.
or treatment of psoriasisUlcerative colitis is characterized by strong inflammatory, chronic, intermittent processes of the intestinal mucosa and the underlying connective tissue layer. In severe cases ulcers form. In contrast to Crohn’s disease, it is almost exclusively the colon that is affected.
In this type of autoimmune disease, too, TNF-α receptor antagonists can positively influence the course of the disease. In the meantime, a whole range of different biologics have been approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.
The body’s own defence system is directed against cells of the digestive tract. The entire digestive system from the oral cavity to the anus can be affected. Here TNF-α plays a role by ensuring that inflammatory processes and cell destruction occur.
Therefore, TNF-α inhibitors can also be used in Crohn’s disease to contain the disease processes and partially prevent consequential damage. Many diseases belong to the rheumatic group. When colloquially speaking of rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis is usually meant.
This is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which immune cells destroy cartilage and bone cells. This leads to joint pain and swelling. This often occurs in the area of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers and toes.
A typical morning stiffness often occurs. The inflammation modulator TNF-α also plays an important role here. TNF-α receptor antagonists may be used in rheumatic therapy if other measures fail.
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