Biologikatherapie in der Rheumatologie

Abstract

Biologicals have been in use for approximately 10 years in Europe. Initially developed for the treatment of sepsis, these molecular biologically produced drugs now successfully combat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA): They specifically inhibit rheumatoid processes in the joints that are controlled by the body's natural defence system. Meanwhile different agents are on the market, and controlled clinical studies prove a high effectiveness as well as a good safety standard. Pneumonia or shingles are among the possible although rare side effects of this kind of therapy. Biologicals also require close surveillance of patients who are subtly infected with tuberculosis.