title: Biologic Therapy in Inflammatory Immunomediated Systemic Diseases: Safety Profile.
abstract: The discovery of some key molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of the immune system responsible for inflammatory systemic diseases as severe as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and Systemic Vasculitides, led to the development and subsequent introduction into clinical practice of biological drugs which are significantly improving the management of such complex disorders. This novel molecular targeted therapeutics represents in fact a valid alternative or complementary treatment to conventional immunosuppressive strategies, characterized by broad, unspecific actions and severe adverse effects. Main advantages of the use of biologic drugs reside in their steroid-sparing effect and in the ability of inducing remission of refractory disease states or curing specific organ involvements. Aim of this article is to review and briefly discuss the scientific evidence supporting the use of biologics in these diseases, with a particular emphasis on their efficacy and safety profile compared to the canonical drugs.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Clinica Medica, Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Via Tronto 10, 60126 Ancona, Italy. g.moroncini@univpm.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moroncini
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Albani
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators