[The meaning of biologic therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with the focus on clinical remission. Part II. Tocilizumab, Abatacept, Rituximab--drugs characterised by a different mechanism of action than TNF-alpha inhibitors]

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2011 Apr;30(178):289-94.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Current aims of management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are remission of the disease, or at least, achievement of its low activity. Early diagnosis of RA is highly important, allowing immediate start of therapy with classic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, that kind of therapy does not guarantee achievement of therapeutic goals in all patients. In case of failure, introduction of biological drugs is necessary Despite a significant progress noted in RA therapy since introduction of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors several years ago, also that scheme failed to be effective in all cases of RA. New biological drugs characterised by a different mechanism of action than TNF-alpha inhibitors: Tocilizumab, Rituximab and Abatacept, are hope for non-responders to previous therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Biological Therapy
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Rituximab
  • Abatacept
  • tocilizumab