Adalimumab Activity and Neutralizing Antibody

This test measures the capacity of adalimumab to neutralize TNF activity. Additionally, adalimumab neutralizing antibodies (NAb) are titered, reporting the minimal serum dilution at which blocking of adalimumab activity is no longer observed.

This test is used to evaluate secondary response failures to adalimumab therapy. Secondary response failure is defined as loss of clinical response after initial improvement of clinical signs and symptoms. Therapeutic decision should rest on both the clinical response and the knowledge of the fate of the drug including the emergence of immunogenicity in individual patients.

Circulating adalimumab levels have been shown to vary considerably between patients. These differences relate to route and frequency of administration and patient-related features such as age, gender, weight, drug metabolism, and concomitant medications such as methotrexate and other immunosuppressants.


* AGA recommended target trough concentration for reactive monitoring of patients with active IBD on maintenance therapy is 7.5 ug/mL or greater for adalimumab (Feuerstein JD et al, Gastroenterology 2017; 153:827-834). The AGA makes no recommendation regarding the use of routine, proactive therapeutic drug monitoring in adults with quiescent IBD treated with anti-TNF agents.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.