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Safety profile of biological therapies for treating rheumatoid arthritis

Juan D Cañete1, Ma Victoria Hernández1, Raimon Sanmartí1

  • 1a Arthritis Unit, Rheumatology Department , Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS , Barcelona , Spain.

Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|June 29, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Biological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show good efficacy but require safety monitoring. While benefits generally outweigh risks, ongoing research is needed for personalized medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Biological agents, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), abatacept, rituximab, and tocilizumab, are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • These therapies are associated with potential adverse events, necessitating early detection and ongoing safety surveillance.
  • A comprehensive understanding of the safety profile is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the safety profile of biological therapies used in RA treatment.
  • To analyze adverse events associated with both TNFi and non-TNF biological agents.
  • To provide an expert opinion on the risk-benefit balance and future directions in biological RA therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of published literature, including clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies.
  • Analysis of data from registries and spontaneous clinical reports.
  • Classification of adverse events based on commonality and relevance to biological agents.

Main Results:

  • Biological therapies for RA demonstrate a reasonable safety profile, with benefits generally exceeding risks.
  • The risk of serious infections, solid malignancies, and cardiovascular events remains low with long-term clinical experience.
  • Concerns regarding immunogenicity, particularly with TNFi, persist, warranting further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Biological therapies are generally safe and effective for RA management.
  • Continued research is essential to mitigate potential risks, address immunogenicity concerns, and develop safer, personalized treatment strategies.
  • The integration of pharmacogenomics holds promise for advancing personalized medicine in RA treatment.
Keywords:
Biological therapyTNF antagonistsabataceptadverse eventsdrug riskrituximabtocilizumab

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