Biologics for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the available biologic therapies whilst comparing them to standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and discusses how best to determine which therapy is most appropriate for an individual patient in the framework of current guidelines. Biologics for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is an up-to-date and concise practical guide to the latest therapeutic developments in this field. This book is an invaluable source of topical information for all rheumatologists and health care professionals treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.




Biologics for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the available biologic therapies whilst comparing them to standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and discusses how best to determine which therapy is most appropriate for an individual patient in the framework of current guidelines. Biologics for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is an up-to-date and concise practical guide to the latest therapeutic developments in this field. This book is an invaluable source of topical information for all rheumatologists and health care professionals treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.




Biologics in General Medicine


Book Description

This is the first book to cover every angle in the clinical application of biologics. Readers will not only find that all of the biologics currently approved for clinical use are delineated in a standardized way, but also the "differential therapy" with biologics in fields including dermatology and neurology is described in detail and summarized in treatment algorithms. Shorter sections on biologic biotechnology as well as safety and regulatory issues complement the more clinically-oriented central chapters.




Biologics in Rheumatology


Book Description

Significant progress has been acquired in the treatment of rheumatic conditions with the introduction of biologic therapies, which has enabled better control of disease activity and improved patients' long-term outcome. Apart from several biologic treatments already licensed for use in autoimmune rheumatic conditions, numerous other agents are currently under investigation. This rapid expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium requires a critical analysis of individual biologic options and their clinical indications, in order to facilitate the optimal use of these new therapies. The authors felt that a comprehensive book revisiting all the evidence available regarding the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and health implications of the use of biologics in rheumatology was needed in order to integrate the clinical, ethical and socio-economic aspects related to their use. This book is aimed at specialist doctors, trainees, nurses and health professionals working in the field of rheumatology. It critically appraises the level of evidence behind the use of biologic agents in diverse autoimmune diseases, comprising separate chapters which focus on rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myositis, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, small, medium and large vessel vasculitis, osteoporosis, and interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatic conditions. In addition, the book explores aspects related to the use of biologic agents, such as ethical considerations of consenting patients to take part in clinical trials with biologics, and adolescent and adult rheumatology nurse perspectives related to patients' benefits of biologic therapies. Particular interest is given to the use of biologics during pregnancy and assessment of their infectious risks. A separate chapter explores the off-target benefits associated with the use of anti-TNF therapies. Several chapters include data about cost-effectiveness, and national and international guidelines for the use of biologic agents in different rheumatic conditions.




Handbook of Biologics for Rheumatological Disorders


Book Description

Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune diseases due to their efficacy, speed of onset, and tolerability. The development of new agents and expanded use of existing agents continues to be a highly active area of investigation among rheumatic diseases, with a multitude of innovative therapeutic strategies in various stages of development. Although the story of treatments continues rapidly, therapeutic research in some conditions is hindered by the rarity of the disease, variation in phenotype, and concerns about toxicity. This fast-paced development of therapeutics,necessitates immediate evaluation of individual biologic agents and their best use in the new treatment regimens./div This book provides an inclusive approach with the existing evidence concerning effectiveness and implications on the usage of biologics in treating various rheumatologic disorders. It also covers the evidence behind the rational use of these agents in varied autoimmune diseases. This manual also offers a complete overview of the existing & futuristic biologic treatments, and draws recommendations on how to standardize the most suitable regimen for a specific patient in the context of current guidelines. The handbook of Biologics in Rheumatology serves as a present and concise compendium to the modern therapeutic developments in the field./div This book is likely to benefit clinicians, residents, fellow and other healthcare workers dealing with rheumatological disorders, and also hard-core Rheumatologists, who are looking for a quick recap of Biologics of their interest. /div




Biologic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis


Book Description

The present study was done in order to prove the efficacy of biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients while being careful for the rare but serious side effects of the biologic drugs. We studied, retrospectively, a sample of 31 patients, diagnosed with RA and treated with different biologic drugs (anti TNFa: etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab; anti CD20: rituximab; anti IL6: tocilizumab ). We assessed efficacy according to the evolution of ESR and DAS28 6 months after initiating the biologic drug. All patients were monitored and screened for any side effect or adverse event during their treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in both ESR and DAS28. And the emergence of some adverse events: infections (pneumonia: 13%, primary herpes: 3.22%, herpes zoster: 3.22%), demyelination disorder (3.22%), allergic reactions (rash/pruritis: 13%), GI disorders (diarrhea: 6.45%, nausea: 3.22%) hematologic disorders (anemia: 6.45%, leucopenia: 3.22%), asthenia (16.12%), menometrorrhagia (3.22%). However none of our patients was diagnosed with a malignancy. In conclusion, despite the risk of adverse events, biologics remain an important and essential therapeutic option for RA patients due to their proven efficacy.




Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus


Book Description

Established for forty years as the definitive reference on lupus, Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus is now in its thoroughly revised, updated Seventh Edition. More than ninety distinguished contributing authors—twenty of them new to this edition—provide comprehensive coverage of every aspect of cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus, including definitions, pathogenesis, autoantibodies, clinical and laboratory features, management, prognosis, and patient education. This edition focuses on evidence-based findings, treatment consensuses, and practical clinical information. New chapters cover cytokines and interferons, pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, immune tolerance, clinical indices in assessment of lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, reproductive issues, fibromyalgia, gender-related issues, and biomarkers.




Early Rheumatoid Arthritis


Book Description

This issue covers the latest developments in the understanding of rheumatoid arthritis at the early stage. Treatments such as with newer biologic agents and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are reviewed. Also included are articles on imaging modalities as a means of identifying those in the early stages and monitoring response to treatment.




Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology


Book Description

This book explains the pharmacological relationships between the various systems in the human body. It offers a comprehensive overview of the pharmacology concerning the autonomic, central, and peripheral nervous systems. Presenting up-to-date information on chemical mediators and their significance, it highlights the therapeutic aspects of several diseases affecting the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrinal, and hematopoietic systems. The book also includes drug therapy for microbial and neoplastic diseases. It also comprises sections on immunopharmacology, dermatological, and ocular pharmacology providing valuable insights into these emerging and recent topics. Covering the diverse groups of drugs acting on different systems, the book reviews their actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, interactions, and subcellular mechanisms of action. It is divided into 11 parts, subdivided into several chapters that evaluate the basic pharmacological principles that govern the different types of body systems. This book is intended for academicians, researchers, and clinicians in industry and academic institutions in pharmaceutical, pharmacological sciences, pharmacy, medical sciences, physiology, neurosciences, biochemistry, molecular biology and other allied health sciences.




The Development of Local-acting Biologics to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis


Book Description

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive joint destruction. Anti-TNF biologics have been developed to treat RA and although effective in the majority of patients, they require repeated administration and systemically inhibit TNF. This systemic inhibition leads to systemic immune suppression and can result in side-effects including opportunistic infections, serious infections and malignancy. To address these limitations, I developed a novel, local-acting biologic known as TNF sticky trap. This biologic was shown capable of inhibiting TNF while sticking or localizing to the extracellular matrix (ECM) where it is produced or administered. Next, cell lines inducibly expressing this local-acting biologic were generated, characterized and evaluated for their therapeutic efficacy in an animal model of RA. A single injection of cells expressing TNF sticky trap was sufficient to reduce arthritis and this local-acting biologic was undetectable in the serum of treated animals. Lastly, to help advance the translation of RA cell therapies into the clinic, a cell safety mechanism was developed and characterized. The development of a safe cell therapy inducibly expressing local-acting biologics could avoid the limitations associated with systemic therapies and improve the current treatment of RA.