Treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases with biologic agents: Opportunities and risks for the elderly

The treatment armamentarium in rheumatic inflammatory diseases has drastically increased in the last years. Earlier uses of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), along with the arrival of newer therapies including the so-called “biologic” agents, have provided better long-term...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental gerontology 2006-12, Vol.41 (12), p.1250-1255
Main Authors: Diaz-Borjon, Alejandro, Weyand, Cornelia M., Goronzy, Jörg J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Amyloidosis - drug therapy
Amyloidosis - immunology
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology
Autoimmune rheumatic disease
B cells
Biologic agents
Biological Therapy - adverse effects
Biological Therapy - methods
Cryoglobulinemia - drug therapy
Cryoglobulinemia - immunology
Elderly
Giant Cell Arteritis - drug therapy
Giant Cell Arteritis - immunology
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis - drug therapy
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis - immunology
Humans
Muscular Diseases - drug therapy
Muscular Diseases - immunology
Musculoskeletal Diseases - drug therapy
Musculoskeletal Diseases - immunology
Spondylarthropathies - drug therapy
Spondylarthropathies - immunology
T cells
Vascular Diseases - drug therapy
Vascular Diseases - immunology
Vasculitis - drug therapy
Vasculitis - immunology
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Summary:The treatment armamentarium in rheumatic inflammatory diseases has drastically increased in the last years. Earlier uses of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), along with the arrival of newer therapies including the so-called “biologic” agents, have provided better long-term outcomes for patients suffering from these illnesses. Biologic agents have shown efficacy for several diseases and failed in others. Due to a high prevalence of some of these diseases in the elderly population, this age group may also benefit, although treatment will have to be tailored to its special needs. In this mini review, we will discuss the use of these medications in rheumatic diseases with a significant prevalence in the elderly, their proven and potential uses, and the considerations that need to be taken into account when using them in this population.
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2006.10.010