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Since the late 1990s, based on scientific advancement and biotechnological improvement, many effective drugs such as leflunomide and biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been developed. These include TNF-α inhibitors such as etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, a peripheral B-cell depleting agent such as rituximab, CTLA-4 Ig such as abatacept, and IL-1 receptor antagonist such as anakira. These new agents have provided good efficacy in the treatment of patents with severe or refractory rheumatoid arthritis and have provided retardation or prevention of radiographic progression or joint destruction despite some side effects such as tuberculosis, infection, malignancies. In this review, new therapeutic alternatives would be given, and chances for more improved outcomes in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis provided. (Korean J Med 76:12-17, 2009) |
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