title: Golimumab, the newest TNF-α blocker, comes of age.
abstract: Golimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is one of the newest biologics that has become available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Following the initial randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, which demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the drug in the context of a limited patient sample and a relatively short time frame, golimumab has been the focus of continuous investigation through the extensions of the above-mentioned trials, new clinical trials and registries of biologic drug use in daily clinical practice. The review of this data and their inclusion in meta-analyses and indirect comparisons across TNF-α blockers suggest that golimumab possesses similar properties regarding efficacy and safety as the older monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibodies. The novelty of golimumab is perhaps its dosing regimen, i.e. subcutaneous self-administration once monthly, which allows for the least disturbance in the life of patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Haematology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; and Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papagoras
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Voulgari
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandros A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Drosos
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C529000:golimumab