Biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

In the last decade, there have been significant advances in treating rheumatoid arthritis, especially for patients whose arthritis does not respond to traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The most important advance has been the development of a group of drugs called biologic response modifiers or biologics.

There are a number of biologics approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These include:

• Enbrel
• Humira
• Remicade
• Kineret
• Rituxan
• Orencia
• Simponi

Other biologics are being studied to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well as other forms of arthritis.

How Do Biologics Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Biologics are genetically engineered proteins derived from human genes. They are designed to inhibit specific components of the immune system that play pivotal roles in fueling inflammation, which is a central feature of several forms of arthritis.

Biologics differ significantly from traditional drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in that they target specific components of the immune system instead of broadly affecting many areas of the immune system.

What Are the Side Effects of Biologics?

As with any drugs that suppress the immune system, biologic therapy poses some increased risk of the body’s vulnerability to infections and other diseases. Patients taking biologics should seek immediate medical attention if they develop persistent fever or unexplained symptoms. Vaccinations that prevent infections should be considered prior to administration of biologics. Patients should not receive live vaccines while taking biologic medications.

Biologics may also cause some chronic diseases that are dormant (such as tuberculosis) to flare, and they are not recommended for people with multiple sclerosis and other conditions such as congestive heart failure. All patients should be skin tested for tuberculosis prior to starting biologics.

Since biologic therapy is in its early stages of use, some of the long-term effects of using these medications simply aren't known, and your doctor will want to regularly monitor your health while using them. Biologics are also more expensive than traditional treatments. However, the evidence so far suggests that they work well and pose fewer risks than other systemic therapies.

One disadvantage to current biologic medications is that they must be given either by injection or by intravenous infusion.

Although animal studies of biologics have shown no effect on fertility or impairment of the fetus, these studies cannot always predict the effects in humans. Pregnant women should receive these drugs only if clearly needed because the effects on a developing child are unknown.

Biologics are commonly discontinued prior to surgery until wounds have sealed and infection risk has passed.

As a general rule, different biologic therapies should not be taken at the same time.

Researchers say that future biologics, still in the early development stages, may be less expensive and some will be taken orally. Also on the horizon are biologics that target different areas of the immune system, providing new treatment options.

Here are some details on available biologic drugs: