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An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
[Biological therapy in pediatric rheumatology]
Insights
Biological therapies significantly improve outcomes for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Gene-engineered drugs achieve remission in 70% of patients, enhancing quality of life and long-term prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting children.
- Traditional immunosuppressants have limitations in managing JRA.
- The Research Centre of Children's Health has extensive experience in treating pediatric JRA.
Purpose:
- To present the experience of treating 438 children with JRA using various biologic agents.
- To evaluate the efficacy and impact of differential biologic therapy compared to classical immunosuppressants.
- To assess the effect of gene-engineered drugs on disease activity, remission rates, and patient quality of life.
Summary:
- The study involved 438 children treated with biologic preparations: infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, rituximab, and tocilizumab.
- Differential biologic therapy achieved clinico-laboratory remission in 70% and reduced disease activity in 20% of patients within one year.
- This approach contrasts with classical immunosuppressants, showing superior outcomes.
Impact:
- Biologic therapy significantly improves the quality of life for children with JRA and their families.
- Gene-engineered drugs promote normal growth and development in pediatric patients.
- These treatments positively affect the prognosis of JRA, a previously incurable condition.
Abstract:
This article presents the unique experience of Research Centre of Children's Health in the treatment of 438 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis using biological preparations, viz. infliximab (270), adalimumab (55), ethanercept (25), rituximab (74), and tocilizumab (34). It is shown that differential biological therapy, unlike treatment with classical immunodepressants (methotrexate, cyclosporine, leflunomide, etc.), permits to achieve clinico-laboratory remission in 70% and markedly decrease activity of the disease in 20% of the patients within 1 year after the onset. It is concluded that treatment with gene-engineered drugs improves the quality of life of the children and their families, normal growth and development of the patients and affects prognosis of this formerly incurable chronic autoimmune disease.
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