Recent Developments in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

摘要

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease affecting approximately 1% of the US population. The disease is characterized by swelling, tenderness, and joint deformities, usually involving the small joints, for example the hands and feet. The underlying patho-genesis of RA is unknown, but key factors of the disease process have been identified. Cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are known to play a substantial role in joint destruction. Activation of T cells and B cells stimulates a cascade of events, including cytokine release, which leads to inflammation and joint destruction. The developments of recent therapies which combat the negative effects of the cytokines mentioned above are available or under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review for use in patients with RA. Table 1 shows the cytokines, their effects on the body, and which drugs prevent or negate the cytokine-induced joint destruction. '