title: Rationale of using different biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Due to ongoing developments of novel agents in the field of biological pharmacotherapy, there are now more arrows available in clinicians' quivers for the treatment of rheumatic conditions. As a consequence, however, clear treatment strategies have to be defined in order to guarantee a qualitatively high and individually stage-adapted, state-of-the-art regimen for affected patients. This review summarizes recent evidence regarding the rationale of using different biological therapies to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the most common inflammatory joint disorder after activated osteoarthritis, and draws an actual picture of a possible standardized therapeutic algorithm without claiming exclusive appropriateness.
authors.affiliation: Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kerckhoff-Klinik, Benekestr, Bad Nauheim, Germany. m.geyer@kerckhoff-klinik.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Müller-Ladner
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents