title: [Biologics in the early treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and related forms of spondyloarthritis].
abstract: New pathogenetic insights have identified the key role of TNF-alpha in inflammatory rheumatic diseases and have revolutionized the therapy of spondyloarthritides. TNF-alpha-antagonists specifically inhibit the pro-inflammatory effects of TNF-alpha. Clinical studies with infliximab (Remicade), Etanercept (Enbrel) or Adalimumab (Humira) in ankylosing spondylitis or related diseases demonstrate superior efficacy to conventional drugs like non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs or traditional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Schwerpunkt für Rheumatologie, klinische Immunologie und Osteologie am Evangelischen Krankenhaus Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. Dr.Langer@rheuma-online.de
authors.forename: Hans-Eckhard
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Langer
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068800:Etanercept; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept