title: Biologic agents in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
abstract: In 1998, further details on the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with biologic agents became available. Biologic agents with established efficacy, e.g., the chimeric tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody cA2, were tested in combination with methotrexate (MTX), with evidence of synergistic effects. These trials revealed new, important information on the incorporation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents into a treatment regimen of rheumatoid arthritis using established disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and innovative biologic agents. Clinical trials testing new agents, e.g., T-cell receptor peptides in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion represented new developments with regard to T cell-directed treatment principles. In addition, new developments in the preclinical phase are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology