Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jan 2014
ReviewTargeting the Janus kinases in rheumatoid arthritis: focus on tofacitinib.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has markedly advanced by the advent of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, they require special storage and transportation and remission is observed in ∼ 30%. Tofacitinib inhibits the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase family Janus kinase (JAK), which is activated immediately after cytokines bind to their receptor within the cytoplasmic membrane. ⋯ Tofacitinib is a new class of DMARDs orally available with a new mechanism of action and with strong clinical efficacy similar to biologic DMARDs. Multiple cytokines and signaling pathways are partially inhibited at clinical doses that are in contrast to biological DMARDs. Further investigation is necessary to come to a conclusion on risk-benefit ratio and selection of patients.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCombined long-acting bronchodilator single therapy for COPD.
In COPD, the long-acting bronchodilators are not always able to provide an appropriate bronchodilator effect in terms of amplitude and duration and this can result in increased severity of respiratory symptoms and in worsening of health status. Combined long-acting bronchodilators can address this limitation. ⋯ Such a combination can provide a superior and sustained bronchodilator effect and can minimize the respiratory symptoms resulting from a suboptimally inhibited bronchoconstriction.