Biologicals in rheumatoid arthritis: current and future

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management involves established and novel biological therapies.
• Comparative analyses of current biologicals show minimal efficacy and safety differences.
• Biologicals demonstrate high drug retention rates, effective in monotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on established and new biologicals for RA.
• To summarize advances in comparative efficacy and safety.
• To discuss treatment discontinuation and reintroduction strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of comparative efficacy and safety studies.
• Analysis of drug retention rates and monotherapy use.
• Evaluation of tapering, discontinuation, and reintroduction protocols.

Main Results:

• Established biologicals exhibit comparable efficacy and safety profiles.
• High drug retention, efficacy, and safety confirmed for approved biologicals.
• Tapering or discontinuation is feasible in disease remission with predictable response upon reintroduction.

Conclusions:

• Biological therapies offer versatile and sophisticated treatment options for RA.
• New biologicals targeting various immune pathways are rapidly developing.
• Future research should address biosimilars and novel biologicals for refractory RA patients.