Selected articles in these areas are discussed in this narrative review article.
(C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review
The present review will focus on the role of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the current management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Recent findings
Over the past several decades, the treatment of RA has been revolutionized, not only by the development of highly effective biologic agents but also through a better understanding of the critical importance of early DMARD treatment with a goal of remission or low disease activity and of how to effectively and safely use conventional DMARDs, either as monotherapy or in combinations.
Summary
Conventional DMARDs have proven
efficacy in the management of RA and remain a valid treatment option, either in monotherapy find protocol or as a component Rigosertib of combination regimens. Although conventional DMARDs have associated toxicities, these are distinct from those of the biologic DMARDs. In addition, conventional DMARDs are much less expensive than biologic DMARDs, and in many cases can be successful in achieving similar control of disease activity. The goal for all patients should be achieving remission, or at least low disease activity, with the most cost-effective therapy Selleck LXH254 possible.”
“The field of genetics and genomics is a highly technological driven field that is advancing fast. The purpose of this year in review of genetics and genomics was to highlight the publications that apply these new technologies tools to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, most recent developments in genetics and genomics research and their relevance to OA are discussed in this review. (C)
2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review
With an increasing range of biological therapies available in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, sequencing of such therapies is becoming more frequent, particularly with more ambitious treatment aims. This review will address the evidence to date on use of successive targeted agents.
Recent findings
Double-blind, randomized controlled trials have confirmed the role of alternative tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (TNFi), rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab, following TNFi failure with no comparative studies to date. Registry data have demonstrated efficacy of switching from a first to a second TNFi. Observational experience has confirmed benefits of switching from TNFi to TNFi and TNFi to rituximab. Within available randomized controlled trial data, tocilizumab appears effective in TNFi failure group, irrespective of number of TNFi previously failed with similar data on abatacept.