[Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: toward a therapeutic revolution]

C R Biol. 2006 Apr;329(4):228-40. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2005.12.008. Epub 2006 Mar 30.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The progress of immunopathology allowed the development of targeted drugs or biotherapies. Among them, monoclonal antibodies against T or B lymphocytes or against a cytokine are reported. Monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies are a major therapeutic advance because they can stop the clinical, biological and radiographic evolution of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Monoclonal anti-CD20 lymphocytes give promising results; they are able to induce prolonged remissions. Monoclonal anti-IL6 receptors are currently being evaluated. They are efficacious in adult RA and in Still's disease. Because of the infectious risk linked to these drugs, the ratio benefit/risk must be carefully evaluated before the prescription of a biotherapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Adalimumab