[Indications for and use of biologics in early rheumatoid arthritis based on the evidence]

Abstract

Given the recent consensus that main goal of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is remission, it is extensively studied how to get remission effectively and early. Initial treatment with biologics along with methotrexate (MTX) has been shown to achieve clinical remission much greater than that with MTX alone, suggesting that early intervention with biologics plus MTX should be seriously considered. In this regard, personalized strategy to start biologics in individual patients based on the disease activity and prognosis factors has been proposed. In this review, indication and use of biologics in early RA are discussed by showing the clinical studies published in the literature.