[Anti-RANKL antibody for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic and destructive inflammatory disease that causes severe disability and mortality. Since joint destruction occurs from the early disease, its diagnosis and treatment have to be done timely. The combinational use of methotrexate and biologics targeting TNF and IL-6 has revolutionized the treatment of RA, producing significant improvements in clinical and structural outcomes. On the other hand, an anti-RANKL antibody denosumab possesses a potential to inhibit joint destruction as well as systemic and glucocorticoid-mediated osteoporosis. Thus, differential efficacy of different therapies in bone destruction and osteoporosis would warrant further study to clarify the mechanisms of bone and joints diseases.