Journal List > Hanyang Med Rev > v.32(2) > 1044136

Park, Kim, and Choe: Biologic Agent for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Decades of accumulated knowledge and improved comprehension of various perspectives on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology has led to the development of new biologic agents that inhibit a specific component of the RA inflammatory process. Especially during the last two decades, several epochal agents which target tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, CD20-expressing B cell, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 were used in the management of RA and other autoimmune diseases with highly comparable efficacy and safety. Moreover, dozens of innovative agents queue up for clinical trials day by day. Herein, we review the current scenario of RA management in terms of pathogenesis and targeted molecular pathways, and some important controversies in this field as well. Based on the complications that these kinds of diseases pose, it is highly reasonable to hope that further improved therapies and more tailored drugs for RA will be introduced in the near future.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Targets of biologic agent in rheumatoid arthritis. OC, osteoclast; DC, dendritic cell; FLS, fibroblast-likesynoviocyte; Mφ, macrophage; RANKL, Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand; TGF-β, Transforming growth factor beta; TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor alpha; Syk, Spleen tyrosine kinase; Tyk, Tyrosine kinase; CC, β-chemokine; CXC, α-Chemokine; GM-CSF, Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor; Th, T helper IL, Interleukin; CD, Cluster of differentiation.
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