title: Biologics - beyond the joints.
abstract: Biologics including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), T and B cell inhibitors are very effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of arthritides. These compounds effectively improve articular symptoms and inhibit joint damage. In this respect, there are no major differences in the efficacy of the available biologics. However, many arthritis patients also exert extra-articular features, systemic manifestations of the disease. These associated conditions include uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, secondary bone loss and cardiovascular disease. There have been data suggesting that there may be differences in the effects of various TNF inhibitors, rituximab and tocilizumab on the systemic manifestations described above. At present, we do not always have sufficient evidence to confirm these differences, therefore, more information should be obtained from large trials and long-term observational studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Center, Hungary. szekanecz.zoltan@med.unideb.hu
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szekanecz
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szántó
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Váncsa
authors.forename: Szilvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szamosi
authors.forename: Nóra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bodnár
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szücs
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001691:Biological Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011565:Psoriasis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014605:Uveitis; D014657:Vasculitis
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha