Anti-TNFs linked to SLE

Patients taking TNF inhibitors may be at risk of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) the latest Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin advises. The tumour necrosis factor inhibitors infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept are powerful immunosuppressants; however, the deficiency of TNF caused by these drugs is known to predispose some patients to TNF inhibitor-induced SLE, the bulletin noted. SLE was considered drug-induced when idiopathic lupus features or antibodies were absent prior to TNF treatment and recovery occurred within one year of its withdrawal. Clinically, drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) tended to be similar to, and less severe than, idiopathic SLE....