Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody, so it is highly specific. As mentioned above, it specifically binds to TNF alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha). TNF alpha is a signaling protein, a cytokine, which is involved in the normal inflammatory response as part of the immune system. For people who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis for example, there is an increased level of TNF alpha in the synovial fluid between the joints. This is harmful because it causes excess inflammation and pain ultimately causing destruction of the joint. As a result, when Adalimumab is administered subcutaneously, it binds to TNF alpha thus preventing it from binding to the p55 and p75 TNF receptors on the cell surface. By doing so, TNF alpha cannot bind to its receptors
