title: Biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Our growing understanding of the immune response mechanism has created a wave of novel biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The domain of biologic agents includes: 1) Recombinant regulatory cytokines; 2) engineered molecules and monoclonal antibodies that target proinflammatory cytokines; 3) monoclonal antibodies against lymphocyte cell-surface proteins; 4) fusion proteins and monoclonal antibodies that block the second signal and induce anergy; 5) vaccines comprised of specific proteins from lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells; 6) monoclonal antibodies that block intercellular adhesion; and 6) gene therapy whereby antiarthritis genes are introduced directly into the joint. Most treatments remain under investigation; however, in 1998 two antagonists of tumor necrosis factor were approved marking the first approvals of antirheumatic biologic agents. For the first time anti-rheumatic therapies are being designed instead of borrowed.
authors: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1670, USA.
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Bulpitt
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products