The potential value of blood monitoring of biologic drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT: The advent of biological therapies has been a major therapeutic advance in rheumatology. Many patients now enjoy improved quality of life through better disease control. The number of therapies continues to grow both within drug class (including biosimilar drugs) and via new mechanisms. For the first time, nonbiological drugs such as small-molecule inhibitors (Janus kinase inhibitors) have shown clinical equivalence. However, clinical unmet need remains with up to a third of patients commenced on a biologic therapy having minimal or no response: (a) Generally, the first biologic used secures the best response, with likelihood of remission falling thereafter with successive therapies; (b) the success of strategy trials using biological therapies can be difficult to replicate in clini

SUBMITTER: Perry M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7011331 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature