New tumor necrosis factor-alpha biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Continued research towards new and better tolerated therapies to attenuate the inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and to halt the progression of erosive joint damage has led to the development of anticytokine strategies. Of these therapies, the most promising appear to be those targeted towards blocking the effects of TNF-alpha. Trials with etanercept, which showed significant, rapid and sustained reductions in disease activity, have produced particularly encouraging results.