title: [New therapy developments in rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Despite the anti-TNF alpha based progress in the treatment of RA, it is necessary to further optimize study designs and reports (Etanercept/MTX combination with results of radiological progression; publication of D2E7 trials; combination of D2E7 with MTX). Moreover, innovative immunobiologicals (PEG-TNFRI, PEG-TNF alpha antibody fragments, soluble TNFRI, CTLA4-Ig, CD40 ligand antibody, antibodies against IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, complements), inhibitors of TNF alpha translation (peptides, anti-sense constructs) or TNF alpha synthesis (targeting NF kappa B, p38 MAP-kinase, phosphodiesterase IV, TNF alpha converting enzyme) are forthcoming. Principally different are inhibitors of complement convertases or collagenase as well as vaccination studies or trials trying to induce T cell anergy. Furthermore, for patients with MTX side effects, alternative DMARDs need to be tested along with TNF alpha blockers. Combination studies of TNF alpha constructs with other immunobiologicals (anti-CD4, IL-4, IL-10, IL-1RA) should be evaluated. To date, TNF alpha blockers have been evaluated in very early RA. Finally, a step-down trial will test whether--after induction of remission with a TNF alpha blocker plus MTX--replacement of the TNF alpha blocker with MTX alone or in combination with leflunomide will be able to keep disease activity suppressed for a longer duration.
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Rheumatologie Inst. für Klin. Immunologie Medizinische Klinik III Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Krankenhausstr. 12 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Hannes.Lorenz@med3.imed.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kalden
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008727:Methotrexate
vernacular_title: Neue Therapieentwicklungen in der Rheumatoiden Arthritis.