Lecture 15 Clinical Aspects of RA and Approach to Therapeutics

Question 1

What are Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD)

Answer 1

A group of structurally unrelated, typically small molecule drugs which have been demonstrated to have slow onset effect on disease activity and retard disease progression

Question 2

Name examples of DMARD

Answer 2

• Methotrexate
• Sulfasalazine
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Leflunomide

Question 3

What are Biologics

Answer 3

Target key aspects of inflammatory cascade. Typically these are large complex proteins which need to be given parenterally. Compared to traditional DMARD, they work rapidly, are generally well tolerated although with important toxicities (eg infection and come at high cost).

Question 4

Name examples of of Biologics

Answer 4

• TNFa inhibitors (x5)
• IL-1 inhibitors (Anakinra)
• Anti B Cell therapies (CD20, Rituximab)
• Anti T Cell therapies (Abatacept)
• IL-6 inhibitors (Tocilizumab)