Adalimumab for early rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the population and can result in joint destruction, reduced quality of life and function, loss of work productivity and, in severe cases, early mortality. Recent advances with optimal therapeutic strategies, including early initiation of treatment, tight control of the disease activity aiming for remission of the disease and the advent of biological therapies, have led to improved outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is generally agreed that the best outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis occur when treatment is started early. Adalimumab is a new fully humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the adverse effects of excess TNF-α. New studies using this agent early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis indicate superior rates of remission for patients with this disease.

Keywords::

• adalimumab
• early rheumatoid arthritis
• remission

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Dr Bykerk has received honoraria from Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, Wyeth, Schering Plough, Bristol Myers Squibb and Roche. She has no stocks, shares or other interest in any pharmaceutical company. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.