How does Infliximab work?

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that is produced biotechnologically. Monoclonal means that all antibodies contained in the preparation are exactly the same, since they were synthesized by one and the same cell. As a result, Infliximab has a very high affinity to its target structure, the human, i.e. human tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is an inflammation-promoting mediator in the immune system.This means that it triggers and supports various processes in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Normally it helps the immune system to keep the body healthy. However, tumor necrosis factor-alpha may be directed against the body’s own cells and components.

Why exactly it does this is not yet fully understood. This process, in which the body attacks itself, is also called autoimmune disease. Such autoimmune diseases include rheumatic diseases and also Crohn’s disease, for example.

Infliximab has been specially designed to intercept the tumor necrosis factor and thus render it harmless. The consequence is that it can no longer attack its own body. However, as mentioned, tumor necrosis factor-alpha also has useful functions that are also lost when it is destroyed by Infliximab. This means that the entire immune system, some of which is also useful, is inhibited, which is why Infliximab is also known as an immunosuppressant, i.e. an immune system suppressor.

Side effects of Infliximab

Side effects occur in addition to the actual desired effect of a drug and can have harmful consequences for the body. Infliximab is a very powerful drug that massively interferes with the immune system. It therefore has many side effects.

Very often viral infections, for example of the upper respiratory tract and the nose, headaches and pain when administering the infusion can occur. The term “very often” is precisely defined and means that more than one in ten people treated have experienced this side effect. Common side effects, of which more than one in 100 patients have reported, are bacterial infections, changes in blood composition, allergic reactions of the respiratory tract, depression, insomnia, dizziness, loss of sensation, palpitations, palpitations, tachycardia or conjunctivitis.

Occasionally, fungal infections, systemic allergic reactions, confusion, nervousness, seizures, lid edema and cardiac arrhythmia occur. By definition, one in every 1000 patients. Rare to very rare (one in 10 000) meningitis, anemia, anaphylactic reactions, temporary loss of vision, or cyanosis have been described.