[Biologics--the new horizon for medical therapy]

Biologics include a wide range of medications that are produced by means of biological processes involving recombinant DNA technology. Approximately one in four of the recently approved new therapeuticals belongs to this group. Biologics have added major therapeutic options for the treatment of many diseases with an especially profound impact on rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and a great array of malignancies. Many more targets are already screened in clinical research. Despite their clinical promises, monoclonal antibodies are raising concern about the potential adverse effects of long-term use. Costs are dramatically higher than for conventional medications, raising severe pharmacoeconomic concerns.