Summary of latest anti-TNF research

Medscape (free subscription, or go via Google) has a great in-depth interview with David A. Schwartz, Director of the IBD Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about the latest developments in anti-TNF medications for the treatment of Crohn's Disease. He manages to translate medical-journalese into language that non-medical professionals can understand. It includes important information regarding safety and effectiveness of newer therapies.

Towards the end of the interview he indicates the method of delivery is one important factor in patients' preference for newer biologics over the original infliximab (noting that infliximab must be delivered intravenously by a medical professional, whereas other drugs can be administered by the patient themself at home):

100% of patients who had received both intravenous and subcutaneous anti-TNF therapy preferred the subcutaneous route. The main reasons given for this preference included that the infusions were painful as well as the autonomy that subcutaneous administration provided.