REVIEW - Use of bioligcs in RA: where are we going?

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Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2006 Sep 15;63(18 Suppl 4):S19-41. Links

Use of biologics in rheumatoid arthritis: where are we going?

University College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC 20059, USA.

fpucinojr@...

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and costs of biologic agents

that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration or are under review

for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are discussed. Biologic

therapies that are currently under investigation in early- and late-phase

clinical trials are summarized at the end of this report. SUMMARY: The use

of biologic agents for the treatment of RA has significantly improved the

management of this disease. Experimental and clinical studies have shown

that these agents ameliorate the signs and symptoms of RA, slow radiographic

progression of disease, and improve physical function and quality of life.

Data also support that early initiation of therapy with these agents

improves long-term outcomes. However, biologic agents are associated with

adverse effects that health care providers need to recognize and manage.

CONCLUSION: Biologic agents have revolutionized the treatment of RA by

reducing the signs and symptoms of RA, slowing radiographic progression of

joint destruction, and improving physical function and quality of life in

affected patients.

PMID: 16960244

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=Abstra\

ctPlus & list_uids=16960244

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org