The Bombay Technologist

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tania Rosen

Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology

Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Monoclonal Antibodies, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha.

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Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune syndrome in which chronic inflammation of the joints is believed to be initiated by autoantibodies and maintained by cellular inflammatory mechanisms. The inflammation and damage is being caused by various pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily, TNF-a (Tumor Necrosis Factor - alpha). Other such cytokines include IL-1 (interleukin), IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF (granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor). Monoclonal Antibodies are biological response modifiers which aid in immunosuppression in RA. They block or bind to these cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation, joint damage, and pain. They are less toxic than conventional drugs used. This paper is a review of the studies on the mechanism of action of various monoclonal antibodies against certain cytokines i.e. TNF - alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and inflammatory cells such as B cells and T cells. We have focused on TNF antagonists, such as Infliximab, as TNF-alpha is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine in RA.