Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an important cytokine with a wide range of biological functions. In 1975, TNF was discovered, initially believed to inducing necrosis of tumor and presumed to be involved in cachexia. In 1985, TNF was confirmed as a key inflammatory factor involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced shock, and subsequently found to play a key role in many inflammatory diseases. TNF blockade has been shown to be of great value in alleviating a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis. Then, many TNF inhibitors have been developed and approved for clinical use, including infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi) and etanercept (Enbrel). The discovery, functional elucidation of TNF and the development and application of inhibitors have fully explained the successful path of translational medicine.

Key words: tumor necrosis factor, inhibitor, inflammatory response, autoimmune disease, translational medicine