Current status of TNF blocking therapy in heart failure

Recent experimental studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has deleterious cardiovascular effects. Tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists bind to TNF-a and functionally inactivate this cytokine and thereby reverse some of these effects. Various clinical studies of TNF-α antagonists have reported conflicting results. The present review analyses all reported clinical trials of TNF-α antagonists in congestive heart failure (CHF). The effect of these agents on clinical composite score, CHF hospitalizations, and mortality were compared. Early clinical studies of blocking TNF in patients with heart failure demonstrated promising results. However, recent large-scale, placebo-controlled trials have failed to show any improvement in the clinical status of heart failure. There have in fact, been some reports of worsening of heart failure with these agents. It may be concluded that TNF-α antagonists could adversely affect the clinical condition of patients with moderate to severe heart failure.