title: Novel therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis outlined to date in RA consists of a cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines leading to the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the self perpetuation of inflammation, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone destruction. The dramatic progress in understanding the molecular immunology in RA has led to a transition from conventional treatment with aggressive immune suppression to targeted biological-based therapies that control the inflammatory pathways associated with RA. This article reviews the current biological and small-molecule therapies approved for the treatment of RA and those in development, including antibodies, tolerising agents and vaccines.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Department of Pediatrics, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0731, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Tremoulet
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects; D018925:Chemokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents