Deregulated TNF production, be it low or high, characterizes many autoimmune diseases.
Recent evidence supports a dualistic, pro-inflammatory and immune-or disease-suppressive
role for TNF in these conditions. Blocking TNF in autoimmune-prone chronic inflammatory
diseases may, therefore, lead to unpredictable outcomes, depending on timing and duration
of treatment. Indeed, blockade of TNF in human rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel
disease patients, although so far impressively beneficial for the majority of patients, it has …