[The therapeutic blockade of TNF reduces serum levels of interleukin 15 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To analyze the effect of the TNF blocking agents (aTNF) on the serum levels of interleukin 15 (IL-15). To determine whether baseline IL15 serum levels or their response to aTNF therapy can predict the clinical response to this treatment.

Patients And Method: We studied 75 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that were selected to start aTNF therapy.