Golimumab: A novel anti-TNF-alpha human monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the pathology of a variety of chronic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The introduction of TNF-alpha inhibitors represented a significant advance in the management of these diseases but the responses of individual patients to TNF-alpha inhibitors are not homogeneous and more therapeutic tools are needed. Golimumab (CNTO-148) is a novel anti-TNF-alpha human monoclonal antibody that blocks both soluble and transmembrane TNF-alpha. It is indicated in the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate, in adults with active and progressive psoriatic arthritis either alone or in combination with methotrexate, and in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapies. Golimumab has generally been well tolerated in clinical trials with a safety profile comparable to other currently available TNF-alpha inhibitors. Its advantages are that it can be administered s.c. once monthly, it is labeled for patient self-administration and is suitable for both s.c. and i.v. administration. Golimumab is currently being investigated in other chronic inflammatory diseases.