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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2014; 20(17): 5031-5035
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.5031
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.5031
Utility of serum TNF-α, infliximab trough level, and antibody titers in inflammatory bowel disease
Éva Pallagi-Kunstár, Klaudia Farkas, Zoltán Szepes, Ferenc Nagy, Anita Bálint, Tibor Wittmann, Tamás Molnár, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, H6720 Szeged, Hungary
Mónika Szűcs, Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, H6720 Szeged, Hungary
Róbert Kui, Rolland Gyulai, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, H6720 Szeged, Hungary
Author contributions: Farkas K, Wittmann T and Molnár T contributed to supervision of patient selection; Pallagi-Kunstár É, Farkas K, Szűcs M, Gyulai R, and Molnár T contributed to study design and statistical analysis; Pallagi-Kunstár É and Bálint A performed the ELISA measurements; Farkas K, Szepes Z, Nagy F, Kui R, Gyulai R, Bálint A and Molnár T, contributed to data collection and manuscript preparation; all authors approved the final draft for submission.
Supported by TAMOP-4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV-2012-0035, TAMOP-4.2.2-A-11/1/KONV-2012-0052 TAMOP-4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV-2012-0073; and OTKA Research Proposal PD 105948 (PI: Klaudia Farkas)
Correspondence to: Tamás Molnár, MD, PhD, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 8-10, H6720 Szeged, Hungary. molnar.tamas@med.u-szeged.hu
Telephone: +36-62-545186 Fax: +36-62-545185
Received: October 11, 2013
Revised: December 13, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Revised: December 13, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The clinical utility of measuring serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), infliximab, and anti-infliximab levels in the therapeutic decisions of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is still an outstanding question. In this study we assessed TNF-α, infliximab concentrations, and antibodies against infliximab molecules in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who developed loss of response, side effects, or allergic reaction during anti TNF-α therapy. Our results showed that the simultaneous measurement of serum TNF-α level, serum anti TNF-α concentration, and antibodies against anti TNF-α may further help to optimize therapy in critical situations.