Biological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis: beyond TNF‐α blockade

Abstract

AbstractBiological therapies represent one of the major advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the past decade. The tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitors have started marketing in most Asian countries. Despite having a higher efficacy than conventional disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), the anti‐TNF‐α agents are not successful in all patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, short‐term and long‐term complications such as tuberculous infection and lymphoma are still a major concern. Recent studies have demonstrated that several non‐TNF‐α biologics such as rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab are effective in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis, including those who are not responsive to the TNF‐α inhibitors. This article updates the clinical data on the recently developed non‐TNF‐α biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis.