title: Recommendations for the use of biologic therapy from the Italian Society for Rheumatology: off-label use.
abstract: The advent of biological agents has provided further opportunities to treat resistant or relapsing rheumatic diseases, with robust data for rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis coming from randomised controlled trials. However there are data also on other rare inflammatory rheumatic diseases even if the evidence available may be heterogeneous and/or controversial. Another challenging scenario is represented by diseases that are not uncommon, but that may present with multiple manifestations and prove resistant to conventional therapies, thus requiring the use of biological agents. To assist physicians in making correct therapeutic choices in such cases, the Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR) has developed specific recommendations for the use of biological agents in rare disease or for the off-label use of such agents in refractory inflammatory disorders.
authors: Division of di Rheumatology, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Todoerti
authors: Nicolo'
authors: N
authors: Pipitone
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Matucci-Cerinic
authors: Carlomaurizio
authors: C
authors: Montecucco
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Caporali
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy*; D007558:Italy; D056687:Off-Label Use / Q000592:standards*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000592:standards*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products