Recent advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Cornerstone. 1999;2(2):38-50. doi: 10.1016/s1098-3597(99)90013-3.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 0.5% to 1% of the population worldwide. Because there is no cure for this disease, the goal of therapy is to control the underlying inflammatory process and maintain or improve function. This article reviews 4 new treatments for patients with RA: leflunomide, etanercept, infliximab, and the protein A immunoadsorption column with plasmapheresis therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Etanercept
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Immunosorbent Techniques
  • Infliximab
  • Isoxazoles / therapeutic use
  • Leflunomide
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Isoxazoles
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Infliximab
  • Leflunomide
  • Etanercept