| New biologics for rheumatoid arthritis. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21949922 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis with many systemic manifestations. Several monoclonal antibodies targeting different components of the immune systems have been licensed for treatment of RA. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) are found abundantly in the blood and the joints. The biologic effect of IL-6 on leukocyte, osteoclast, hepatocytes and bone marrow may mediate the articular and systemic inflammation in RA. Recently, an anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, has been licensed for the treatment as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate of moderate to severe RA, when disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or anti-tumour necrosis factors (TNF) have failed. It improves symptoms and signs as well as reducing joint damage. Tocilizumab monotherapy has been shown to be superior to methotrexate. Its side-effects include infections, decrease in neutrophils, and increases in lipid and liver transaminases. Overall, tocilizumab has a well-defined and manageable safety profile that supports a favourable benefit/risk ratio for patients with RA. |
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Authors:
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E Choy |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Volume: 41 ISSN: 2042-8189 ISO Abbreviation: J R Coll Physicians Edinb Publication Date: 2011 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-09-28 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101144324 Medline TA: J R Coll Physicians Edinb Country: Scotland |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 234-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Tenovus Building, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. ChoyEH@cardiff.ac.uk. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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