Drug-Induced Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists were developed more than a decade ago and have shown increasing success in controlling chronic inflammatory diseases. However, blocking the physiological effect of TNF-α has led to adverse effects in some patients, with adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab being the most implicated in the drug-induced lupus syndrome.