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Biologic agents in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases
1Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
In 1996, experience in treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases with biologic agents has further improved. New data have been published using different principles directed against cell surface antigens or against proinflammatory cytokines or applying anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 and interleukin-4. In addition, combination therapies with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody and methotrexate have shown sustained long-lasting beneficial effects. Undoubtedly, with increasing knowledge of the exact mechanisms leading to tissue destruction in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, new treatment principles will be developed that may be even more specific and may be associated with fewer adverse effects than the biologic agents tested thus far.
In 1996, experience in treating autoimmune rheumatic diseases with biologic agents has further improved. New data have been published using different principles directed against cell surface antigens or against proinflammatory cytokines or applying anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 and interleukin-4. In addition, combination therapies with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibody and methotrexate have shown sustained long-lasting beneficial effects. Undoubtedly, with increasing knowledge of the exact mechanisms leading to tissue destruction in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, new treatment principles will be developed that may be even more specific and may be associated with fewer adverse effects than the biologic agents tested thus far.