title: Expanding role of biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Biologic agents are an important addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Initially these drugs were reserved for use in patients with progressive RA who had an inadequate response to treatment with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. The optimal role of biologics in the treatment of RA remains to be defined. Data from ongoing clinical trials will provide insight on when to most effectively administer these agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, Institute for Clinical Immunology, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kalden
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products