| abstract |
Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor a (hTNFa) are disclosed. These antibodies have high 5 affinity for hTNFa (e.g., Kg= 10~ M or less), a slow off rate for hTNFa dissociation (e.g., K,~ 10~3sec' or less) and neutralize hTNFa activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNFa and for inhibiting hTNFa activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a 10 disorder in which hTNFa activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention. |