New perspectives and emerging therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders.

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease, affect a large segment of the population in the United States. Recent research suggests that, in many inflammatory conditions, an inflammatory protein or cytokine, specifically tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), appears to play an important role. Medications designed to treat these chronic inflammatory diseases, in addition to alleviating its symptoms, have become important therapeutic alternatives. This article will discuss specific Immune Mediated Inflammatory Disorders (I.M.I.D.), their treatment and management, as well as the current clinical application and potential future role of TNF-alpha antagonists as a common therapeutic modality.