This article, from a group in France which has professed no experience with perispinal administration of TNF-antagonists for disc-related pain, is less notable for its conclusion than for its positive discussion of the scientific evidence supporting a central role of TNF in the pathogenesis of disc-related pain.
Title Pathophysiology of disk-related low back pain and sciatica. II. Evidence supporting treatment with TNF-alpha antagonists.
Author(s) Mulleman D, Mammou S, Griffoul I, Watier H, Goupille P
Institution François Rabelais de Tours University, EA 3853 Immuno-Pharmaco-genetics of Therapeutic Antibodies (IPGA), France.
Source Joint Bone Spine 2006 May; 73(3) :270-7.
Abstract Strong evidence suggests that TNF-alpha may be among the chemical factors involved in disk-related sciatica. TNF-alpha is involved in the genesis of nerve pain in animal models and may promote pain-signal production from nerve roots previously subjected to mechanical deformation. In animal experiments, TNF-alpha has been identified in nucleus pulposus and Schwann cells. Local production of endogenous TNF-alpha may occur early in the pathogenic process. Exposure to exogenous TNF-alpha induces electrophysiological, histological, and behavioral changes similar to those seen after exposure to nucleus pulposus, and these changes are more severe when mechanical compression is applied concomitantly. TNF-alpha antagonists diminish or abolish abnormalities in animal models. Other cytokines may be involved also, as suggested by the potent inhibitory effects of compounds such as doxycycline. Two open-label studies in humans suggest dramatic efficacy of TNF-alpha antagonists in alleviating disk-related sciatica. In contrast, the results of the only controlled study available to date do not support a therapeutic effect of TNF-alpha antagonists. Thus, whether TNF-alpha antagonist therapy is warranted in patients with disk-related sciatica remains an open question, and further randomized controlled studies are needed.
Language eng
Pub Type(s) Journal Article
PubMed ID 16046171
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