Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody used to treat various autoimmune diseases by binding to and inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a key part of the autoimmune response. It was originally developed as a mouse antibody but was modified to contain mostly human antibody sequences. Infliximab is administered via intravenous infusion every 6-8 weeks and is approved by the FDA to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

1. Infliximab
Infimab

2. What is infliximab?
• Infliximab is a mab- monoclonal antibody against
tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) used to
treat autoimmune diseases.
1. TNF-α is a chemical messenger (cytokine) and a key
part of the autoimmune reaction.
2. Infliximab works by binding to TNF-α.
3. Autoimmune diseases are conditions that occur
when the immune system mistakenly attacks and
destroys healthy body tissue.

3. What is unique about infliximab?
• Infliximab was originally developed in mice as a
mouse antibody.
– As humans have immune reactions to mouse
proteins, the mouse common domains [amino acid
sequences] were replaced with similar human
antibody domains.
– Due to this combination of mouse and human
antibody amino acid sequences, it is called a chimeric
monoclonal antibody.
– They are monospecific antibodies i.e. they are same
in structure and their affinity to the target, it is called
a monoclonal antibody.

4. What is infliximab used in?
• Infliximab is approved since August 1998 by
U.S. FDA for the treatment of:
1. Crohn's disease,
2. ulcerative colitis,
3. psoriasis,
4. psoriatic arthritis,
5. rheumatoid arthritis,
6. ankylosing spondylitis

5. What does it do? 3 actions
Stops further damage,
Improves physical function
Induces & maintains remission

6. How is it used?
• Infliximab cannot be administered orally
because the digestive system would destroy
the drug
• It is administered by IV infusion typically at 6-8
week intervals at a clinic or hospital.

7. Competing products?
• Other monoclonal antibodies targeting TNF-α are
1. Golimumab (Simponi),
2. Adalimumab (Humira), and
3. Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia).
4. Etanercept also binds and inhibits the action of
TNF-α, but is not a monoclonal antibody (it is
instead a fusion of TNF-receptor and an antibody
constant region)