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Anti-TNF treatments inhibit the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF can cause systemic inflammation that results in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Approved TNF inhibiting medications include infliximab and etanercept.
TNF is an acronym for tumor necrosis factor, a family of proteins and peptides collectively referred to as cytokines. Cytokines are manufactured by the immune system to act as specialized molecules that regulate communication signals within and between cells. Their mission is to trigger apoptosis, or programmed cellular death, through a series of biochemical reactions. However, as the term "necrosis" implies, TNF also contributes to sudden cell death by initiating an immune response to cells affected by injury or trauma. Because TNF is associated with inflammatory disorders such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, researchers are looking for ways…
