Biologic monotherapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Figures & data

Figure 1 Some reasons for the decision to perform a monotherapy.

Note: Data from Emery et al.¹⁷
Abbreviation: DMARDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Table 1 Most important data for biologics use

Substance	Approval for	Application form	Application interval	Main effect
Abatacept	Plus MTX	iv	Every other 4 weeks	Inhibition of the T-cell costimulation
Adalimumab	Plus MTX and monotherapy*	sc	Every other 2 weeks	TNF inhibition
Anakinra	Plus MTX**	sc	Daily	IL-1 inhibition
Certolizumab	Monotherapy	sc	Every other 2 weeks	TNF inhibition
Etanercept	Plus MTX and monotherapy*	sc	Weekly	TNF inhibition
Golimumab	Plus MTX	sc	Every other 4 weeks	TNF inhibition
Infliximab	Plus MTX	iv	0 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks	TNF inhibition
Rituximab	Plus MTX	iv	Weeks 0 and 2	B-cell depletion
Tocilizumab	Monotherapy	iv	Every other 4 weeks	IL-6 inhibition
CP-690550 tofacitinib	Monotherapy	Oral	Daily	JAK3 inhibition

Notes:

* In cases of contraindications or adverse events, they can be used as monotherapy;

** in Europe.

Abbreviations: iv, intravenously; sc, subcutaneously; MTX, methotrexate; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; IL, interleukin; JAK3, Janus kinase inhibitor 3.

EmeryPSebbaAHuizingaTWJBiologic and oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drug monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritisAnn Rheum Dis201372121897190423918035

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