Optimizing treatment with biologics

Disability and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occur rapidly and early in the course of the disease. Disease activity is predominantly responsible for the disability in the early stages of RA. Nonreversible joint damage increases disability later in the course of RA. In recent years, several strategies that employed combination therapies with conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) were studied with the aim of rapidly bringing the disease under control. The ultimate goal was to alleviate symptoms and slow or halt the progression of joint damage. The introduction of highly efficient biologic agents allows introduction of a number of new strategies, including early administration of a biologic agent alone or in combination with high-dose methotrexate. Other options for the use of biologic therapies include the use of biologic agents for moderate disease, and early use of a biologic agent for induction of remission and subsequent treatment with a conventional DMARD. A strategy for tight control of disease with targeted outcomes for decision-making may offer further improvement in disease control irrespective of the treatment approach. The remarkably improved outcomes that can be achieved by initiating aggressive therapy early, with close monitoring of disease progression and modification of ineffective therapeutic strategies, support the use of biologics in the optimal management of RA.