Adalimumab in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis/juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Chronic arthritis in childhood is the most common pediatric rheumatic disease and can lead to significant short- and long-term disability. TNF-a is a cytokine involved in joint inflammation and destruction. It has been suggested that early and aggressive treatment leads to improved outcomes by ameliorating clinical signs and symptoms, inhibiting joint destruction and improving functional disability. The early and aggressive use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers are key to achieving this goal. Anti-TNF agents are effective biologic modifiers that have had a major impact on the clinical course of arthritis. Adalimumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody to TNF-alpha, is emerging as a valuable new therapy for juvenile arthritis.