Old and new drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis: a historical perspective. Part 1: the older drugs

Monotreatment With Conventional Antirheumatic Drugs or Glucocorticoids in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis

Importance

This is the first network meta-analysis to assess outcomes associated with multiple conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid.

Objective

To analyze clinical outcomes after treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Data Sources

With no time restraint, English language articles were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists of relevant meta-analyses until September 15, 2022.

Study Selection

Four reviewers in pairs of 2 independently included controlled studies randomizing patients with rheumatoid arthritis to mono-conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, glucocorticoid, placebo, or nonactive treatment that recorded at least 1 outcome of tender joint count, swollen joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level. Of 1098 assessed articles, 130 articles (132 interventions) were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline, and data quality was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool RoB 2. Data were extracted by a single author and checked independently by 2 authors. Data were analyzed using a random effect model, and data analysis was conducted from June 2021 to February 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A protocol with hypothesis and study plan was registered before data recording. The most complete of recorded outcomes (tender joint count) was used as primary outcome, with imputations based on other outcomes to obtain a full analysis of all studies. Absolute change adjusted for baseline disease activity was assessed.

Results

A total of 29 interventions in 275 treatment groups among 132 randomized clinical trials (mean [range], 71.0% [27.0% to 100%] females in studies; mean [range] of ages in studies, 53 [36 to 70] years) were identified, which included 13 260 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean (range) duration of RA was 79 (2 to 243) months, and the mean (range) disease activity score was 6.3 (4.0 to 8.8). Compared with placebo, oral methotrexate was associated with a reduced tender joint count by 5.18 joints (95% credible interval [CrI], 4.07 to 6.28 joints). Compared with methotrexate, glucocorticoid (-2.54 joints; 95% CrI, -5.16 to 0.08 joints) and remaining drugs except cyclophosphamide (6.08 joints; 95% CrI, 0.44 to 11.66 joints) were associated with similar or lower tender joint counts.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study's results support the present role of methotrexate as the primary reference conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.

Clinical Visit Frequencies in Rheumatology: A Systematic Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

Clinical visits are a fundamental aspect of rheumatic disease care, but recommendations for appropriate visit frequencies are largely absent from guidelines, scarcely studied, and inconsistently reported. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence pertaining to visit frequencies for major rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Title/abstract screening, full-text screening, and extraction were carried out by 2 independent authors. Annual visit frequencies were either extracted or calculated and stratified by disease type and country of study. Weighted mean annual visit frequencies were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 273 relevant manuscript records were screened, and 28 were included after applying selection criteria. The included studies were equally divided between US and non-US and were published between 1985 and 2021. Most (n = 16) focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n = 5), and fibromyalgia (FM; n = 4). For RA, the average annual visit frequencies were 5.25 for US rheumatologists, 4.80 for US non-rheumatologists, 3.29 for non-US rheumatologists, and 2.74 for non-US non-rheumatologists. For SLE, annual visit frequencies for non-rheumatologists were much higher than for US rheumatologists (12.3 versus 3.24). For FM, annual visit frequencies were 1.80 for US rheumatologists and 0.40 for non-US rheumatologists. There was a decreasing trend of visit frequency to rheumatologists from 1982 to 2019.

CONCLUSION

Evidence for rheumatology clinical visits was limited and heterogeneous on a global scale. However, general trends suggest more frequent visits in the US and less frequent visits in recent years.

The Evolution of TNF-α Blockade for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a potent trimeric cytokine which plays a fundamental role in the host immuno-inflammatory response, as well as in homeostasis and development. Although critical for canonical immune function, TNF-α has great destructive potential and is implicated in the development of multiple immune-mediated disorders. Within the context of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), TNF-α acts as a primary pathogenic driver by precipitating a pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade and coordinating the attraction and activation of immune cells, all of which culminate in damage to the synovium. The discovery of the paramount role of TNF-α in the pathophysiology of RA motivated studies to understand the effects of TNF blockade in vitro and in vivo. Promising preclinical results provided the impetus for clinical trials, spearheaded in the 1980s and 90s by Marc Feldmann, which revealed significant improvements across RA symptom scores and finally led to FDA approval in 1998. As of 2021, five TNF-α blocking agents have been widely applied clinically, including infliximab (IFX), etanercept (ETN), adalimumab (ADA), golimumab (GLM) and certolizumab pegol (CZP). All of them successfully ameliorated symptoms of RA and the associated tissue damage, especially in patients not responding to traditional treatment methods. Anti-TNFs are most often administered in combination with methotrexate (MTX) as part of Phase II treatment (i.e., second line). Although the general availability of anti-TNFs has dramatically improved patient outcomes, sustained remission is rare and the mechanism of RA remains incompletely understood. Thus, additional basic and translational research is warranted, towards the aim of developing novel RA treatments.

Radiographic changes in the temporomandibular joint related to medication in rheumatic diseases

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess radiographical changes on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in relation the autoimmune rheumatic diseases and the medicines that treat this diseases with cone beam computed tomography(CBCT).

METHODS

65 people with rheumatoid diseases were included in the study and divided into five subgroups according to drugs they used. Condyle height (CH), anteroposterior dimension (APD), mesiolateral dimension (MLD) and superior joint space (SJS) were measured in order to evaluate mandibular condyle dimensions. Further, were evaluated in terms of osteoarthritic changes such as erosion, flattening, osteophyte and subchondral cyst in the mandibular condyle. TMJ measurements were compared between study-control groups and subgroups by using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney-U test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis test. The association between osteoarthritic features, rheumatoid status was tested by using χ2 test. Observers were blinded to all groups. Cohen κ values (0853-0945) and Spearman's correlation coefficient (0.959-0.997) indicated high interexaminer reliability.

RESULTS

Condylar dimentions were significantly lower in CH and SJS in rheumatic diseases group (p < 0.001), however APD (p = 0,681) and MLD (p = 0,757) was not different significantly. Osteoarthritic changes such as erosion (p < 0.001), flattening (p = 0.005), osteophyte (p = 0.001) and subchondral cyst (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the patient group. None of the parameters were different significantly according to subgroups determined according to drugs used(p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Degenerative changes may cause decrease in condyle size and changes in condyle position. It is a process that can continue despite the use of antirheumatic or immunosuppressive drugs. All of these can become the source of possible TMJ problems.

Treatment of granuloma annulare and related granulomatous diseases with sulphasalazine: a series of 16 cases

BACKGROUND

Granuloma annulare (GA) and the related annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) are idiopathic histiocytic inflammatory disorders, which are frequently recalcitrant to treatment.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the efficacy of sulphasalazine in treating GA, AEGCG and IGD.

METHODS

Sixteen patients were identified with granulomatous disease who were treated with sulphasalazine between September 2015 and September 2019. Outcomes were based on patients' and providers' subjective evaluations.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included in the study (ages 56-89, four male and twelve female). Previous treatments were attempted in fifteen patients. Clinical improvement was seen in fourteen patients (87.5%). Initial improvement was noted within a mean (SD) of 66.4 (35.1) days after starting therapy, with increasing benefits over time. Ten patients (62.5%) reported complete or near-complete clearance, three patients (18.8%) reported significant improvement, and one (6.3%) reported partial improvement. Twelve patients elected to stop or reduce therapy, resulting in relapse or worsening in five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Sulphasalazine may be considered as treatment for GA and GA-related conditions.

Development of an item bank to measure factual disease and treatment related knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis patients in the treat to target era

OBJECTIVE

To develop a Disease and treatment associated Knowledge in RA item bank (DataK-RA) based on item response theory.

METHODS

Initial items were developed from a systematic review. Rheumatology professionals identified relevant content trough a RAND modified Delphi scoring procedure and consensus meeting. RA patients provided additional content trough a focus group. Patients and professionals rated readability, feasibility and comprehensiveness of resulting items. Cross-sectional data were collected to evaluate psychometric properties of the items.

RESULTS

Data of 473 patients were used for item reduction and calibration. Twenty items were discarded based on corrected item-total point biserial correlation <0.30. Confirmatory factor analysis with weighted least squares estimation on the polychoric correlation matrix suggested good fit for a unidimensional model for the remaining 42 items (CFI 0.97 TLI=0.97, RMSEA=0.02, WRMR=0.97), supporting the proposed scoring procedure. Scores were highly reliable and normally distributed with minimal ceiling (1.8%) and no floor effects. 75% of tested hypotheses about the association of DataK-RA scores with related constructs were supported, indicating good construct validity.

CONCLUSION

DataK-RA is a psychometrically sound item bank.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

DataK-RA provides health professionals and researchers with a tool to identify and target patients' information needs or to assess effects of educational efforts.

To stop the erosion of hope: the DMARD category and the place of semantics in modern rheumatology

The category of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) emerged in the 1970s to describe drugs capable of altering the long-term destructive course of arthritis. It became a core concept in rheumatology’s reorientation towards pharmaceuticals in the late twentieth century. By examining the earliest use of the term “disease-modifying” in scientific publications, this paper identifies the drugs that the category described when it first emerged. Leaning on systematic reviews of each of these drugs towards the end of their career in rheumatology, it then establishes that posterity would not recognize any of these early DMARDs as capable of altering the long-term course of the disease. The notion of disease-modifying drugs was thus originally used to categorize drugs that were not disease-modifying. Instead of interpreting this inconsistency as an anomaly, the paper argues that the DMARD category may have gained currency because it allowed a number of actors to respond pragmatically to an ongoing crisis in the pharmacological approach to treating arthritis. The term offered to conjure prospects of disease-modifying effects regardless of drugsʼ actual capacities, and thus to semantically solve the tensions between needs and means that characterized rheumatology at the time. While shedding light on a pivotal moment in the history of rheumatology, the paper also models an approach to understanding drug categories as meaning-making mechanisms by which people can mediate the sometimes uneasy connections that exist between medical practice and science.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Unraveling the conundrum

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogeneous disease with a complex and yet not fully understood pathophysiology, where numerous different cell-types contribute to a destructive process of the joints. This complexity results into a considerable interpatient variability in clinical course and severity, which may additionally involve genetics and/or environmental factors. After three decades of focused efforts scientists have now achieved to apply in clinical practice, for patients with RA, the "treat to target" approach with initiation of aggressive therapy soon after diagnosis and escalation of the therapy in pursuit of clinical remission. In addition to the conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, biologics have greatly improved the management of RA, demonstrating efficacy and safety in alleviating symptoms, inhibiting bone erosion, and preventing loss of function. Nonetheless, despite the plethora of therapeutic options and their combinations, unmet therapeutic needs in RA remain, as current therapies sometimes fail or produce only partial responses and/or develop unwanted side-effects. Unfortunately the mechanisms of 'nonresponse' remain unknown and most probable lie in the unrevealed heterogeneity of the RA pathophysiology. In this review, through the effort of unraveling the complex pathophysiological pathways, we will depict drugs used throughout the years for the treatment of RA, the current and future biological therapies and their molecular or cellular targets and finally will suggest therapeutic algorithms for RA management. With multiple biologic options, there is still a need for strong predictive biomarkers to determine which drug is most likely to be effective, safe, and durable in a given individual. The fact that available biologics are not effective in all patients attests to the heterogeneity of RA, yet over the long term, as research and treatment become more aggressive, efficacy, toxicity, and costs must be balanced within the therapeutic equation to enhance the quality of life in patients with RA.

A history of the term "DMARD"

The article outlines a history of the concept of “disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs” or DMARDs—from the emergence in the 1970s of the idea of drugs with decisive long-term effects on bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), through the consolidation and popularisation in the term DMARD in 1980s and 1990s. It then examines the usage of the terms “remission-inducing drugs” (RIDs) and “slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs” (SAARDs), which for some years offered competition to the term DMARDs, thus underscoring the contingency of the establishment of DMARD as a word. Finally, it juxtaposes the apparently spontaneous emergence of the three terms DMARD, SAARD and RID, and the disappearance of the latter two, with a failed attempt in the early 1990s to replace these terms with the new term “disease-controlling antirheumatic treatment” (DC-ART). The analysis highlights the paradoxical qualities of the DMARD concept as robust albeit tension ridden, while playing down the role of identified individuals and overarching explanations of purpose.

The role and advances of immunomodulator therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Immune modulating drugs such as thiopurines (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine) and methotrexate has been a mainstay for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for decades. However, despite widely used in IBD, questions still remain concerning the most rational treatment regimens of these agents. Results from a range of recent studies necessitate increased awareness on how to best use these potent drugs in the clinic. As controversy still remains regarding the most appropriate use of immunomodulators, this review is based on scrutinizing the current literature, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials and Cochrane reviews, focusing on aspects that can lead to optimal and evidence-based thiopurine and methotrexate treatment strategies in IBD.

Origins and impact of the term 'NSAID'

This article is an historical investigation of the term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and its acronym NSAIDs. Drug names and categories tend to be taken at face value in everyday practice, as natural categories existing in their own right. The main argument of this article is that the term NSAID is a reminder that drug names and categories are complex cultural and social products that have been created by specific people, for specific purposes, through specific historical processes, and that this is relevant for their use today. The article locates the first appearances of the phrase non-steroidal at the entry to the 1960s, when the iatrogenic tragedies that followed from the introduction of corticosteroids had become apparent, and where a clear separation between these drugs and emerging anti-inflammatory alternatives was needed. The article then shows how both the phrase and the acronym appeared for the first time out of specific textual contexts in publications by Michael W. Whitehouse, before they were taken up by a wider community and transformed into concepts independent on the context of their first appearances.

Treatment changes and improved outcomes in RA: an overview of a large inception cohort from 1989 to 2009

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of effective treatment strategies in the past two decades has changed the management of RA dramatically. The objective was to analyse the changes in disease activity, function, joint damage and incidence of orthopaedic surgery over a period of 20 years (1989-2009) for patients with RA.

METHODS

Data acquired from 1989 to 2008 inclusive from the Nijmegen RA inception cohort were studied. By repeated measures analysis the course of the population mean disease activity score (DAS28) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) corrected for age, gender, RF and disease duration was determined. Orthopaedic interventions were analysed as incidence rates with a Poisson distribution. We calculated the prevalence of the various therapies that patients were receiving.

RESULTS

By 2009, 992 patients with RA had been included and 273 had been excluded. From 1989 onwards, the proportion of patients using MTX increased from 5% (8 of 164) to 62% (486 of 780), and biologic response modifiers from 0% to 22% (168 of 780) in 2008. The average MTX dosage increased to 16.1 ± 5.5 mg/week in 2008. The mean DAS28 (3.1) and HAQ-DI (0.47) were least (P < 0.008) in 2008 compared with previous years. There was a significant trend towards lower incidence rates of orthopaedic intervention in the period 2006-2008 than in almost all previous years.

CONCLUSION

Treatment strategy changed in a large inception cohort of patients with RA which coincided with decreased disease activity, increased functional ability and fewer orthopaedic interventions since the early 1990s.

Recent advances using immunomodulators for inflammatory bowel disease

Use of the immunomodulators thiopurines and methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), i.e., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), is considered to be good clinical practice. However, despite being administered to a considerable number of IBD patients over the years, questions remain about the most rational treatment regimens of azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and MTX, and results from a range of recent studies necessitate increased attention to how to optimize the use of these immunomodulators. First and foremost, it is of utmost importance to define the subgroup of IBD patients in need of immunomodulators, including those in need of combination therapy with biologic agents, especially because some side effects may be rather severe. Second, colorectal cancer is observed more often in IBD patients than in the background population. However, a recent nationwide Dutch study pointed to a preventive effect of thiopurines. Finally, the need for an appropriate approach to the discontinuation of immunomodulators is emphasized. Since controversy continues regarding the most appropriate use of immunomodulators, this paper is focusing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, and therapeutic blood testing, as well as the occurrence of adverse events, when using AZA, 6-MP, and MTX in an attempt to determine a more up-to-date and rational treatment regimen in IBD.

Characterization of patients with arthritis referred for gold therapy in the era of biologics

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics of patients referred for gold therapy and determine the reason for referral.

METHODS

We conducted a chart review of patients referred for gold at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program, Vancouver, Canada, from July 2007 to July 2009.

RESULTS

The sample included 69 female and 12 male patients. Diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 71/81, psoriatic arthritis in 5, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in 2, Sjögren syndrome in 1, undifferentiated polyarthritis in 1, and spondyloarthritis in 1. Twenty of 81 patients had received gold before: 15 were referred for a second course, 4 a third course, and 1 a fourth course. Ten of 81 patients were referred for gold as their first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Seventy-one had received prior DMARD: 1 prior DMARD in 22 patients, 2 in 24 patients, 3 in 15 patients, and > 3 in 6 patients. Four patients had received prior biologic therapy plus 2 to 4 prior DMARD. Twelve of 71 received gold monotherapy, 56/71 received gold/DMARD combinations, and 3 received gold/biologic/DMARD combinations. Reasons for referral included failure of other DMARD in 54 patients, limited DMARD options in 50 (chronic liver disease in 34, sulfa allergy in 7, high alcohol consumption in 5, and planning pregnancy in 4), physician choice in 12, previous benefit from gold in 10, benefit of clinic support in 10, inappropriate for biologics in 7, patient choice in 4, and failure of biologics in 3.

CONCLUSION

The most common reasons for referral to gold clinic in 2007 to 2009 are failure of other DMARD and limited DMARD options due to underlying liver disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis: beyond tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists, B cell depletion, and T cell blockade

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For instance, novel biologic therapeutics capable of blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have improved outcomes for RA patients. New therapeutic agents directed at antagonizing two previously untargeted pathways have recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for RA patients who have had inadequate responses to anti-TNF therapy or who have failed to maintain an adequate clinical response. We review the data supporting the use of these agents, rituximab and abatacept.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Use in the Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

During the 10-year period since the last review was done by Gardner and Furst, studies have furthered the knowledge of the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient. This article briefly reviews the clinical pharmacology of humans as they age, and details the effects of aging on the specific pharmacokinetics and responses to commonly used DMARDs. There has been some progress in understanding the elderly RA patient; however, data are insufficient to provide much confidence in DMARDs effects in the elderly.

Medical therapy: Where are we now?

PURPOSE

This article reviews the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of the nonbiologic, or traditional, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), particularly methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine. It also addresses various aspects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials that warrant careful interpretation, including response criteria, outcomes measurements, study designs, and results of combination therapy trials.

SUMMARY

The considerable progress in the treatment of RA over the past 20 years is due in large part to a better understanding of how to use DMARDs optimally and the introduction of biologic agents. In addition to their ability to suppress inflammation, and thereby reduce symptoms of pain and stiffness, these drugs also have the potential to alter the course of RA by slowing disease progression and reducing joint damage.

CONCLUSION

Studies have demonstrated that early treatment of RA and rapid suppression of inflammation are extremely important as they provide long-term benefits and improve the overall prognosis for patients with the disease.

The treatment of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, autoimmune, seronegative inflammatory arthritis characterized by varying degrees of axial and peripheral arthritis. Here, we review the literature on the pharmacological management of PsA and present a simple treatment algorithm based on the available information. Although PsA management must be individualized to the degree and type of joint pain and inflammation, in general, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) still represent first-line treatment of mild PsA. Second-line therapy includes older agents such as gold salts, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and cyclosporine. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists represent the most recent major advance in the clinical management of PsA.

Basic immunosuppressive drugs outside solid organ transplantation

Immunosuppressive drugs are the backbone of solid organ transplantation. The introduction of new immunosuppressive drugs led to improved patient and organ survival rates. Nowadays, acute rejection can be reduced to a minimum. Individualization and avoidance of drug-related adverse effects became a new goal to achieve. The potency of immunosuppressive drugs makes them attractive for use in various autoimmune diseases; therefore, the experience on immunosuppressive drugs outside the field of organ transplantation is analysed in this review.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use in the elderly rheumatoid arthritis patient

During the 10-year period since the last review was done by Gardner and Furst, studies have furthered our knowledge of use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient. This article will briefly review the clinical pharmacology of human as they age, and detail the effects of aging on the specific pharmacokinetics and responses to commonly used DMARDs. There has been some progress in understanding the elderly RA patient, however, there is insufficient data for much confidence in DMARDs effects in the elderly.

What do we mean by the term "inflammation"? A contemporary basic science update for sports medicine

Most practicing sports medicine clinicians refer to the concept of "inflammation" many times a day when diagnosing and treating acute and overuse injuries. What is meant by this term? Is it a "good" or a "bad" process? The major advances in the understanding of inflammation in recent years are summarised, and some clinical implications of the contemporary model of inflammation are highlighted.

Pharmacological treatment of established rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of unknown aetiology that affects about 1% of the general population. Although the optimal care of RA patients requires various modalities, pharmacotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for established RA. The current therapeutic model encourages a step-up approach that safely incorporates several currently available classes of agents: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, glucocorticoids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and biological agents (tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and glucocorticoids, which offer a quick onset of symptom relief, are used mainly as adjunctive therapies. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologicals have been successful in altering disease outcome and slowing radiographic progression. The indications, efficacy and safety of these agents in clinical trials and practice are reviewed in this chapter.

Treatment of sarcoidosis -- from a basic science point of view

Progress in our understanding of the scientific basis of granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis provides a framework for enlightened treatment decisions. Current evidence supports the concept that the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis involves a highly polarized T-helper 1 (Th1) immune response to pathogenic tissue antigens. Conventional treatment is focused on attenuating granuloma formation with antimalarial drugs that inhibit antigen presentation or with nonspecific anti-inflammatory agents such as glucocorticosteroids, methotrexate, or azathioprine. Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha agents such as pentoxifylline, thalidomide, etanercept and remicade, have recently shown some successes in sarcoidosis. Designing future therapies depends on improved knowledge of the critical immunological processes operative in different stages of disease.