[Efficacy of tacrolimus for joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis].
Since joint destruction, the most important problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) , progress rapidly at the onset of the disease, initial treatment using appropriate disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug DMARD such as methotrexate (MTX) is strongly recommended in order to retard progression of joint damage. However, not a few patients are resistant to MTX and/or intolerant of MTX. Oral tacrolimus 1.5-3 mg/day, an immunosuppressive drug, was approved in Japan for the treatment of RA insufficient to other DMARD. The properties of tacrolimus have the much potential of inhibition of T cell activation, suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improvement of joint inflammation, retarding bone and cartilage destruction, overcoming drug-resistance and so on and, thereby, tacrolimus can be the best alternative to MTX and biologics in RA patients who are refractory to or intolerant of these other drugs.
Tanaka
Yoshiya
Y
University of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, The First Department of Internal Medicine.
Suzuki
Katsunori
K
Saito
Kazuyoshi
K
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D019703:Calcineurin; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D019703:Calcineurin; D016559:Tacrolimus