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Related Concept Videos

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors01:29

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
06:07

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

An update on methotrexate.

Juergen Braun1, Rolf Rau

  • 1Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Landgrafenstr 15, Herne 44652, Germany.

Current Opinion in Rheumatology
|April 18, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a cornerstone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), offering significant symptom improvement and potentially extending lifespan. Early intervention with MTX is linked to better patient outcomes in managing RA.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
06:07

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Methotrexate (MTX) has been a primary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for three decades.
  • It is a highly effective disease-modifying antirheumatic agent (DMARD) and the first-line therapy for RA management.
  • MTX demonstrates comparable efficacy to tumor necrosis factor blockers in improving RA signs, symptoms, disease activity, and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent clinical studies on Methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic conditions.
  • To explore MTX's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, and safety profile.
  • To discuss optimal dosage, MTX use in the elderly, and prediction of treatment response.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed for publications on MTX and arthritis in 2008.
  • Review of clinical studies, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and safety data.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding MTX efficacy, safety, and management strategies.

Main Results:

  • MTX use is associated with improved RA outcomes, including enhanced function and inhibited radiographic progression.
  • Early MTX treatment (within 5 years of onset) significantly improves outcomes.
  • MTX may prolong patient lifespan, potentially due to reduced cardiovascular mortality and inflammation suppression.
  • MTX is effective in monotherapy and combination treatments with other DMARDs or biologic agents.

Conclusions:

  • MTX remains a critical drug in RA management, with early initiation linked to superior results.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand MTX's pharmacodynamics and kinetics.
  • Comprehensive understanding of MTX's multifaceted role in rheumatic diseases is essential for optimizing patient care.