Early studies showed some 40 to 65 percent of patients who had not improved with standard medications went into remission after a single intravenous injection. This was noted in most by eight weeks and lasted for about four months. Recently, treatment with a new form of antibody to TNF led to significant improvement within two weeks and had a longer-lasting effect in some patients. This reduces the effectiveness of the anti-TNF antibodies and could limit their use. New research suggests that reformulation of the antibody will avoid this problem.
More work needs to be done.
The use of an antibody to TNF is only one attempt by researchers to alter the inflammatory process. Methods to effect a change in other components of the inflammatory process are also under investigation. Long-lasting remissions with minimal side effects may be closer than we think.