Small molecular therapies for rheumatoid arthritis: where do we stand?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Early aggressive treatment and utilization of targeted biological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has dramatically improved patient outcomes. Even with this approach up to 50% of patients fail to achieve a significant clinical response and these therapies require subcutaneous injection or intravenous administration and are costly. Development of small molecules that can be administered orally has progressed and several are under investigation as potential treatments for RA. This manuscript will update the status of the small molecules under development.

AREAS COVERED:

This review summarizes the newer molecular protein kinase targets involved in signal transduction of inflammatory mediators and the development of inhibitors to these kinases. Additionally, the results of clinical trials evaluating these therapies will be reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION:

Based on the results of randomized clinical trials there is significant likelihood that a small molecular therapy to kinases involved in proinflammatory cytokine production will soon be available in the clinic. The benefit/risk profile is presently being determined in multiple late phase clinical trials.

• Authors: Stanley Cohen
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 23-31 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22070089 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Cytokines
• Inflammation Mediators
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• Protein Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Antirheumatic Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Drug Design
• Humans
• Inflammation Mediators (metabolism)
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Protein Kinases (drug effects, metabolism)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Treatment Outcome