[Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: toward a therapeutic revolution].
The progress of immunopathology allowed the development of targeted drugs or biotherapies. Among them, monoclonal antibodies against T or B lymphocytes or against a cytokine are reported. Monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies are a major therapeutic advance because they can stop the clinical, biological and radiographic evolution of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Monoclonal anti-CD20 lymphocytes give promising results; they are able to induce prolonged remissions. Monoclonal anti-IL6 receptors are currently being evaluated. They are efficacious in adult RA and in Still's disease. Because of the infectious risk linked to these drugs, the ratio benefit/risk must be carefully evaluated before the prescription of a biotherapy.
Sany
Jacques
J
Service d'Immuno-Rhumatologie, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, av. du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France. j-sany@chu-montpellier.fr
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab