Use of anti-TNF antibodies as drugs for the treatment of disorders with an elevated serum level of interleukin-6

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of TNF antagonists for producing drugs for the treatment of disorders characterized by elevated serum levels of interleukin-6.

We claim:  
     
         1 . The use of TNF antagonists for producing drugs for the treatment of disorders characterized by serum levels of interleukin-6 which are elevated at least ten-fold compared with physiological serum levels in healthy subjects.  
     
     
         2 . The use as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the serum levels of interleukin 6 are 500 pg/ml or above.  
     
     
         3 . The use as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the serum levels of interleukin 6 are above 1000 pg/ml.  
     
     
         4 . The use as claimed in    claims 1    to    3   , wherein the disorder is septicemia.  
     
     
         5 . The use as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the TNF antagonists are monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies.  
     
     
         6 . The use as claimed in    claim 5   , wherein the anti-TNF antibodies are humanized or human anti-TNF antibodies.  
     
     
         7 . The use as claimed in    claims 1    to    4   , wherein the TNF antagonists are TNF receptors or soluble fragments thereof.