Medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (II): current biologic agents and newly developing drugs.
10.5124/jkma.2010.53.10.880
- Author:
Jinhyun KIM
1
;
Yeong Wook SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ysong@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Clinical Trial
- Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis;
Cytokine;
B cell depletion;
Secondary signal;
Kinase inhibitor
- MeSH:
Antibodies;
Antibodies, Monoclonal;
Antirheumatic Agents;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Biological Agents;
Cytokines;
Humans;
Infliximab;
Inflammation;
Interleukin-1;
Interleukin-6;
Risk Assessment;
Signal Transduction;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2010;53(10):880-888
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, they have limited efficacy and a considerable adverse event profile. Excess production of soluble cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6, appears to mediate the chronic inflammation associated with RA. Clinical trials with targeted anticytokine biologic agents, including anti-TNFalpha antibodies (adalimumab, infliximab, golimumab, certolizumab), anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies (tocilizumab), and the soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor (etanercept), have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of RA. In addition, costimulatory blockade (abatacept) and B cell depletion (rituximab) have been employed as important adjunctive therapies in RA. Judicious use of these agents, considering their benefits and risks, would bring the greatest benefit to RA patients. The optimal conditions for the administration and indication of these drugs are under investigation. Signal transduction is another target of newly developing drugs. Because of the development of anti-TNF therapy and other biologics, there have been great advances in the treatment of RA.
