title: Biologic Therapies for Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases.
abstract: Biologic therapy continues to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune disease, especially in rheumatology as the pathophysiology of both inflammation and autoimmune disease becomes better understood. These therapies are designed to dampen the response of the inflammatory cascades. Although the first biologic therapies were approved many years ago, expanding indications and new agents continue to challenge the traditional treatment strategies for rheumatic diseases. This article reviews the data supporting the current use of biologic therapies, including off-label indications, in a subset of rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory myositis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, and gout.
authors.affiliation: Section on Rheumatology and Immunology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.affiliation: Section on Rheumatology and Immunology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. Electronic address: dang@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Dennis C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ang
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006073:Gout / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Biologic therapy; Gout; Lupus; Psoriatic arthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis