title: Molecular therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: In an attempt to combat the pain and damage generated by rheumatoid arthritis (ra), new drugs are being developed to target molecular aspects of the disease process. Recently, a major development has been the use of biologicals (antibodies and soluble receptors) that neutralise the activity of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), both of which are involved in disease progression. An increase in our understanding of cell and molecular biology has resulted in the identification and investigation of potential new targets, and also the refinement and improvement of current therapeutic modalities. This review describes therapies that are approved, in clinical trials or under pre-clinical investigation at the laboratory level, particularly focusing on cytokines, although other therapeutic targets of interest are mentioned.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 1 Aspenlea Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8LH, UK. s.sacre@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sandra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sacre
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreakos
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feldmann
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Foxwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines