Anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, widely used in rheumatology and gastroenterology, carry some safety risks. While the risk of infection or malignancy are common concerns, neurological complications, while rare, are also possible.
Anti—tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, widely used in rheumatology and gastroenterology, carry some safety risks. While the risk of infection or malignancy are common concerns, neurological complications, while rare, are also possible.
During the fourth congress of the European Academy of Neurology, held in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 16 to 19, researchers reported on neurological complications with anti-TNF drugs in their 16 years of experience in a tertiary university hospital in Madrid, Spain.
The researchers performed a retrospective analysis of their center’s neurology department from 2002 to 2007 and identified patients who had received the anti-TNF agents infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, and golimumab. They included in their analysis patients who had neurological issues while actively being treated with any of these agents.
In total, there were 15 episodes of neurological complications in 14 patients who were receiving treatment with infliximab, adalimumab, or golimumab to treat inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis, or pyoderma gangrenosum. No patients being treated with etanercept reported neurological complications.
Nine of the patients who had complications were treated with infliximab, 6 were treated with adalimumab, and 1 was treated with golimumab.
In total:
The authors write that, in their experience, neurological complications of anti-TNF therapies are rare, but that they are most commonly reported with infliximab, and stroke is the most commonly reported complication; “A possible association with stroke of undetermined etiology should be assessed with prospective studies,” say the researchers.
Reference
Gomez A, Nater E, Monreal S, et al. Neurological complications of antiTNF therapies: 16 years of tertiary university hospital experience. Presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress, June 16-19, 2018; Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract EPR1130. https://ipp-ean18.netkey.at/index.php?p=recorddetail&rid=2dec48c7-efbe-4a30-aa16-a7c040870eb3&t=browsepresentations.
Budget Impact Analysis of Biosimilar Natalizumab in the US
Projected savings from biosimilar natalizumab were $452,611 over 3 years, driven by decreased drug acquisition costs and a utilization shift from reference to biosimilar natalizumab.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
What AmerisourceBergen's Report Reveals About Payers, Biosimilar Pricing Trends
May 28th 2023On this episode of Not So Different, Tasmina Hydery and Brian Biehn from AmerisourceBergen discussed results from a recent survey, that were also presented at Asembia 2023, diving into the payer perspective on biosimilars and current pricing trends across the US biosimilar industry.
EHA 2024: Rituximab Biosimilars Improve Quality of Life, Infusion-Related Reactions
June 27th 2024Two posters presented at the European Hematology Association’s annual meeting (EHA 2024) evaluated how rituximab biosimilars impact quality of life and infusion-related reactions in patients with lymphatic cancers.
Biosimilar Adoption in the UK: Patient and Consultant Views on Safety and Switching
June 26th 2024Lack of knowledge and confidence in biosimilars continues despite growing education efforts, impacting provider willingness to prescribe biosimilar medicines and patient perceptions about their treatment and switching to a biosimilar.