Biodrugs
-
Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of biologic therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of biologic drugs compared with placebo for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatment. ⋯ Belimumab exhibited a satisfactory profile regarding efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Rituximab showed no superiority over placebo in terms of efficacy, despite its suitable safety profile. Biologic agents exhibited a good safety profile for SLE treatment, indicating that these agents are promising therapies and should be further investigated.
-
Certolizumab pegol, a pegylated Fab' anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agent, has shown efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) unresponsive to previous treatment. In key randomised controlled trials involving patients with moderate to severe RA and an inadequate response to methotrexate or one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), the efficacy of certolizumab pegol, as monotherapy or with methotrexate, was similar to that reported in other anti-TNF clinical studies, with 60% or fewer of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement in RA. Rapid clinical response was also seen, with significant differences evident at week 1, and efficacy maintained at study end and in open-label extensions. ⋯ In the RAPID studies, rapid and sustained reduction in RA signs and symptoms, inhibition of structural joint damage progression, and improved physical function were seen with certolizumab pegol plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone in RA patients with an incomplete response to methotrexate. Certolizumab pegol was generally well-tolerated in clinical trials, although long-term observational data are not yet available. Current data suggest that certolizumab pegol suits a 'treat to target' approach, providing rapid and sustained improvements in RA signs and symptoms, and beneficial effects on workplace and home productivity in patients with RA.