Is infliximab an immunosuppressant?

Infliximab (Infliximab) does belong to the category of immunosuppressants, but its mechanism of action is significantly different from traditional broad-spectrum immunosuppressants. As a biologic, it blocks the inflammatory signaling pathways associated with a variety of chronic autoimmune diseases in the body by targeting and neutralizing the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).

TNF-α is a highly active inflammatory mediator in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Infliximab binds to TNF-α and inhibits its binding to cell surface receptors, thereby acting as an anti-inflammatory and suppressing immune response.

Unlike traditional immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine, azathioprine or methotrexate, which have a broad suppressive effect on the immune system, infliximab has stronger targeting and focuses on TNF-α-related pathways. Therefore, while controlling the disease, it also reduces the side effects of systemic immunosuppression to some extent. However, because it still essentially interferes with the immune system's natural defenses, infliximab may increase the risk of infection, especially tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and opportunistic infections, and strict infection screening is required before use.

Clinically, infliximab is often classified as a "biological immunosuppressant" and is a type of modern immunomodulatory drug that has been widely used in recent years. Its success has also promoted the further development of TNF-α antagonist drugs, such as Adalimumab and other drugs, which have come out one after another, creating a new era of biologically targeted therapy in rheumatic immune diseases. It can be said that infliximab is an important representative of the transformation of immunosuppressive treatment from traditional chemical drugs to highly selective, bioengineered products. It is not only an immunosuppressant, but also embodies the concept of contemporary precision therapy.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/infliximab.html