Title:Biologic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Volume: 13
Issue: 6
Author(s): Juan D. Canete and Jose L. Pablos
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis, biological therapies, clinical response, adverse effects.
Abstract: Biologic therapies have notably improved the treatment of RA, making disease remission a realistic goal. After
more than ten years of experience, the safety issues associated with these drugs are well characterized and can be avoided
with careful patient selection and tight clinical control. Although the different biologic drugs (anti-TNF agents, anti-IL-6,
anti-B cells and anti-costimulation of T-cells) have apparently different mechanisms of action, all biologic agents have
demonstrated similar efficacy. In addition results of the combination of two biologic therapies have shown no additive
clinical effects, although there is an increased risk of infection. Therefore, further research is needed to optimize the use of
these and future targeted therapies in RA.
