title: Targeted therapies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterised by an auto-immune response that eventually leads to the destruction of affected joints. This has major implications for patients' lives, with many becoming debilitated within three years of diagnosis. This paper describes the body's auto-immune mechanism and outlines new therapies that seek to block the body's destructive response to itself.
authors.affiliation: Northern Devon Health-Care Trust, Barnstaple.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mooney
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013256:Steroids; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D013256:Steroids; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept