Appropriate and effective rheumatoid arthritis control: role of TNF antagonists.
There are several unmet needs for the appropriate and effective control of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), namely rapid onset of action; effectiveness in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-resistant disease, including improvements in signs and symptoms, disability, quality of life and radiographic progression; sustainability of response; and a good risk/benefit ratio. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists appear to address these needs and consequently have set a new therapeutic standard for the treatment of RA and have made it possible for rheumatologists to target remission as a primary therapeutic goal.
Keystone
Edward C
EC
Centre for Advanced Therapeutics in Arthritis, Mount Sinai Hospital, and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha