For instance, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another autoimmune disease, blocking the activity of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) using anti-TNF-antibodies over a period of four years leads to remission of RA in 43% [12] and in 13% of these patients drug therapy can even be discontinued for a prolonged period [13]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.