Biological agents in monotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Publication

Biological agents in monotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 10, 2014

Gabay C, Hasler P, Kyburz D, So A, Villiger P, von Kempis Johannes, Walker U

Citation

Gabay C, Hasler P, Kyburz D, So A, Villiger P, von Kempis J, Walker U. Biological agents in monotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Swiss Med Wkly 2014; 144:w13950.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Swiss Med Wkly 2014; 144

Publication Date

Apr 10, 2014

Issn Electronic

1424-3997

Pages

w13950

Brief description/objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease, which results in joint destruction and permanent disability. The advent of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has made a profound impact on the outcome and prognosis of RA. Methotrexate (MTX) is a central agent in RA therapy, and is used either alone or in combination with biological DMARDs. However, a large proportion of RA patients (20%-40%) either do not respond to or are unable to tolerate MTX or the alternative agents used in place of MTX (including leflunomide, sulfasalazine, azathioprine, hydroxycholoquine and combination DMARDs). For these patients, monotherapy with biological DMARDs is a key treatment option that balances tolerability with improved clinical outcomes. This article reviews the data for four biological agents approved for use as monotherapy in Switzerland (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept and tocilizumab) in order to formulate a consensus statement on their roles in biologic monotherapy of RA.