Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis are differentially sensitive to apoptosis induced by anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy.

Abstract

In vitro induction of lymphocyte apoptosis by anti-TNF-alpha was observed in a subgroup of RA patients. Based on these data, it would be of interest to further study the interindividual variations of sensitivity to apoptosis induced by TNF alpha inhibitors in relation to treatment efficacy or resistance observed in RA patients.