Biologic agents in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases

In 1998, further details on the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with biologic agents became available. Biologic agents with established efficacy, e.g., the chimeric tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody cA2, were tested in combination with methotrexate (MTX), with evidence of synergistic effects. These trials revealed new, important information on the incorporation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking agents into a treatment regimen of rheumatoid arthritis using established disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and innovative biologic agents. Clinical trials testing new agents, e.g., T-cell receptor peptides in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion represented new developments with regard to T cell-directed treatment principles. In addition, new developments in the preclinical phase are discussed.