MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS OF ANTI-TNF ANTIBODY

摘要

The invention relates to a method of treating an individual having a TNF-mediated disease comprising administering to the individual multiple doses of an anti-TNF antibody wherein the second or subsequent dose is administered during or immediately prior to relapse of the disease. Preferably, the disease is a TNF alpha -mediated disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-TNF antibody can be a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof, such as a murine antibody, chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody or fragment thereof. Preferably, the antibody binds to one or more amino acids of human TNF alpha (hTNF alpha ) selected from the group consisting of 87-108 and 59-80. The antibody can bind to the epitope of A2 or cA2. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is A2 or cA2.