Biologic
RCSB PDB 3WD5
Adalimumab
Humira
- Mechanism of action
- TNF-alpha inhibitor (monoclonal antibody)
- In plain language
- A lab-made antibody that latches onto TNF-alpha, a protein that drives inflammation, blocking it from switching on immune cells and calming autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
- How it works
- Adalimumab is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity and specificity to both soluble and transmembrane tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), preventing it from engaging the p55 (TNFR1) and p75 (TNFR2) cell-surface receptors. By neutralizing this upstream signal, it interrupts the inflammatory cascade, including TNF-driven activation of osteoclast pathways that erode cartilage and bone, and lowers downstream inflammatory markers and matrix-degrading enzymes. It can also lyse TNF-expressing cells in vitro via complement-dependent mechanisms, while leaving the related cytokine lymphotoxin (TNF-β) untouched, preserving target specificity. The net effect is sustained suppression of the chronic inflammatory signaling that drives tissue damage across the joints, gut, skin, and eyes in autoimmune disease.
- Therapeutic applications
- FDA-approved indications include: rheumatoid arthritis (adults); polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 2+); psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (adults and pediatric patients 6+); moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (adults and pediatric patients 5+); moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (adult candidates for systemic therapy); moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (age 12+); and non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis (adults and pediatric patients 2+).
- Class
- Monoclonal antibody
- Therapeutic area
- Immunology
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