Cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: trials and tribulations.
Biological agents that inhibit the activity of proinflammatory cytokines are being investigated for use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Thus far, two of these agents, both of which neutralize tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), have received US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of the disease. Etanercept is a bioengineered fusion protein of the p75 soluble TNF receptor, and infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody to TNF-alpha. Other agents that target proinflammatory cytokines are also being developed. By allowing earlier treatment and better-tolerated long-term therapy, biologics might help slow or prevent disease progression and joint destruction.
Carteron
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California Pacific Medical Center, 2100 Webster Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94115-2374, USA. ncarteron@netscape.net
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068800:Etanercept