TNF and rheumatoid arthritis: Apart from its role in regulating acute and chronic inflammation, it is also involved in inflammatory diseases, such as septic shock, Crohn's Disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.The central role of TNF‐α in many of these conditions is highlighted by the improvement in disease that often follows anti‐ TNF‐α therapy, notably in rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis where timely anti‐TNF‐α therapy can lead to dramatic improvements in disease in many patients 9, 10, 11.