特集／関節リウマチ治療における分子標的薬の進歩
1．TNF 阻害薬
2013 年 44 巻 1 号 p. 3-7
詳細
2013 年 44 巻 1 号 p. 3-7
Five biological agents against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are now available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the structures and the modes of administration are different among the agents, combination therapy of any anti-TNF agent and methotrexate has successfully induced clinical and morphological remission in a considerable proportion of patients with RA. Importantly, patients showing an inadequate response to one anti-TNF biological agent may respond well to another anti-TNF agent. Therefore, recent international recommendations suggest that anti-TNF agent may be both the first and the second biological agent for RA patients refractory to synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as methotrexate. However, the optimal use of those agents in terms of efficacy, safety and costs remains to be determined. (Jpn J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2013; 44(1): 3-7)
