ISSN:
1573-739X
Keywords:
Antibodies, monoclonal
;
Arthritis, rheumatoid
;
Bone marrow transplantation
;
Cytokines
;
Immunotherapy
;
Pathology
;
Peptides
;
Prognosis
;
Vaccination
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The main challenge in the development of new modalities for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is to enhance the specificity while reducing the adverse side-effects of therapeutics. Biotechnology provides a variety of reagents, such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant cytokines, cytokine antagonists, and small peptides, with the potential to interfere with selected stages of the disease process in a highly specific manner. In addition, several new therapeutic approaches have emerged as a result of extensive research with animal models of disease, including T-cell vaccination and bone marrow transplantation. This article discusses current insights into the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, focusing on rheumatoid arthritis. A number of new therapeutic modalities for rheumatoid arthritis, in particular those acting on the immune system, are discussed. Because it is not possible to provide a complete overview of all the developments in the field in limited space, a selection of strategies and modalities which are representative of the broad variety of immunotherapeutic approaches currently used are highlighted.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01870608
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