title: [Proteins in rheumatology and clinical immunology].
abstract: Twelve years ago the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors revolutionised the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Today, in addition to anti-cytokine strategies, immunosuppressive biologicals have been developed that delete B-lymphocytes or inhibit the activation of T-lymphocytes. The spectrum of indications for these protein drugs will broaden substantially in the near future and will likely include also diseases with orphan status (incidence below 1:10'000). Used in the right indication and with knowledge of molecular effects as well as clinical adverse effects these new drugs do not appear to be more dangerous than conventional disease modifying agents (DMARDs).
authors: Universitätsklinik für Rheumatologie, Klinische Immunologie und Allergologie, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern. peter.villiger@insel.ch
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: Villiger
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D056687:Off-Label Use; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001688:Biological Products; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha