Recent findings

Assay techniques for the measurement of immunogenicity have improved, expanding the understanding of the immune response against biological therapeutics. Knowledge on the clinical effect of immunogenicity enables the treatment of patients in a targeted fashion, as a step towards personalized medicine.

Summary

Biological

medications are able to induce an antidrug immune response. Immunogenicity impairs clinical response and is associated with adverse events. Several confounding factors influence the measurement of immunogenicity, including drug interference and background problems. Concomitant administration of methotrexate lowers the frequency and amount of antibodies formed, whereby the efficacy of biologicals selleck chemical is improved. Algorithms for therapeutic drug monitoring could aid in adapting treatment strategies in a controlled setting.”
“Purpose of review

Biologics targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and clinical remission becomes a realistic treatment goal. After achieving remission, discontinuation of TNF inhibitors may become an important issue from viewing points of safety and economy. However, there is not well established firm evidence regarding

biologic-free remission. We S63845 here document whether ‘treatment holiday’ of TNF inhibitors is possible in RA patients, after maintaining low disease selleck screening library activity by intensive treatment with TNF inhibitors.

Recent findings

From European studies such as BeSt and OPTIMA in patients with early RA and Japanese studies

such as RRR and HONOR in patients with established RA, after reduction of disease activity to clinical remission or low disease activity in patients with RA by infliximab or adalimumab in combination with methotrexate, some patients could successfully remain in clinical remission without TNF inhibitors for 6 months or 1 year and without radiologic and functional progression of articular destruction.

Summary

After maintaining low disease activity by intensive treatment with TNF inhibitors, discontinuation of TNF inhibitors without disease flare, joint damage progression and functional impairment, treatment holiday, is possible in some RA patients.”
“Purpose of review

In recent years, there has been increasing interest, as indicated by a growing number of citations in the medical literature, on the assessment of outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) focusing on the patient’s perspective. This article describes the domains of patient-reported outcomes (PROs), instruments for measuring responses, as well as the use of PRO in clinical trials with newer agents, including biologic agents.