Are medications being developed to target B cells? When will they be available?
Some biologic antieoplastic agents, drugs that fight tumor growth, such as rituximab, are already in use. Rituximab has been approved for years to treat certain cancers, including B cell lymphomas. In 2006, it was approved for adult RA.
Abatacept is another B cell medication used for kids with JIA. It blocks the communication between B cells and T cells involved in the inflammatory response. Interrupting that communication dampens the immune response and inflammation.
How long does it take for any of these drugs to be effective?
Once you have extra fluid and a thickened synovium in the joint, it takes time for the tissue to heal. The medicine may quickly interrupt the inflammatory process, but it could take days or weeks to notice a change. And some medications just travel more slowly to affected areas.
What are the most promising treatments? Why?
DMARDS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, which block chemicals involved in inflammation, work for many people. A newer one, tocilizumab, blocks IL-6, an inflammatory cytokine, or immune system molecule. It's very effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis when other medications fail.
So far, we've done well putting children and adults into remission and getting good long-term responses to treatments. Several new medications have recently been developed, and others are still being studied, that show promise in getting us closer to putting everyone in remission.
Source: http://ift.tt/1oElnm8

Put the internet to work for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please, don't spam! Send only useful and thematic comments. Thanks!