Therapy with antibody to tumor necrosis factor in sepsis.

Recent data indicate that proinflammatory cytokines mediate pathophysiological events during clinical sepsis. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been closely associated with adverse outcome from sepsis, both in animal models and in the clinical setting. Accordingly, monoclonal antibodies with the capacity to neutralize TNF in vitro have been developed for evaluation as therapeutic agents in clinical sepsis. Preclinical studies in animal models of sepsis due to gram-negative as well as to gram-positive bacteria suggest that monoclonal antibodies to TNF may have potential as a therapeutic agent. Clinical trials to test this hypothesis are under way.