Despite their different targets, biologic agents used for blockade of TNF and IL 6, inhibition of T cell co-stimulation and B cell depletion all have similar beneficial effects on the outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This observation raises questions as to whether the targets of these therapies might all be involved in a common pathogenetic pathway. In this Perspective, the authors discuss the disparities in RA therapy and whether clinical trial data can be used to determine at which point a biologic agent might interfere with the pathogenetic RA cascade.
- Josef S. Smolen
- Daniel Aletaha
- Kurt Redlich
