Chapter 47: Biologic Response—Modifying and
Antirheumatic Drugs
WHAT ARE Biologic Response—Modifying and Antirheumatic Drugs?
WHY DO WE USE THEM?? - Chemotherapy is generally systemic, but it often
does not completely eliminate all of the cancer cells in the body. Adjuvant
therapy is frequently used to destroy undetected distant micrometastases.
These drugs alter the body's response to diseases such as cancer and
autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases and can enhance or
restrict the patient's immune response to disease, can stimulate a patient's
hematopoietic function, and prevent disease.
1) Biologic response-modifying drugs provide...
another treatment option for patients who have malignancies and/or are
receiving chemotherapy and need to boost blood cell counts.
2) Antirheumatic drugs decrease the body's autoimmune response for
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Breakdown of classes ... >>>>>>>> - biologic response-modifying drugs
(there are 2 broad classes):
1) Hematopoietic drugs
2) Immunomodulating drugs. (3 subgroups)
• Interferons (IFNs)
• Monoclonal antibodies (MABs)
• Interleukin (IL) receptor ag
nadir level - lowest point of WBC to receive chemo (450)
, Chapter 47: Biologic Response—Modifying and
Antirheumatic Drugs
huge risk of infection
MethotrexateMethotrexate
a. Mechanism of action
b. Adverse effects
c. Contraindications - * Methotrexate is a... Nonbiologic Disease-Modifying
Antirheumatic Drugs
DMARDs are drugs that modify the disease of RA. They exhibit anti-
inflammatory, antiarthritic, and immunomodulating effects and work by
inhibiting the movement of various cells into an inflamed, damaged area,
such as a joint.
* Methotrexate is an anticancer drug commonly used for the treat-ment of RA
in much lower dosages than those used for cancer. It is usually started at
dosages of 7.5 to 10 mg/wk but can be increased to 25 mg/wk. It is very
important to note that the drug is given once weekly, not once daily.
Methotrexate
a. Mechanism of action
b. Adverse effects
c. Contraindications - Bone marrow suppression is the main adverse effect
of methotrexate.
Most patients are advised to take supplemental folic acid to lessen the
likelihood of adverse effects.
The onset of antirheumatic action occurs after 3 to 6 weeks. The half-life of
the drug is 3 to 10 hours.
Antirheumatic Drugs
WHAT ARE Biologic Response—Modifying and Antirheumatic Drugs?
WHY DO WE USE THEM?? - Chemotherapy is generally systemic, but it often
does not completely eliminate all of the cancer cells in the body. Adjuvant
therapy is frequently used to destroy undetected distant micrometastases.
These drugs alter the body's response to diseases such as cancer and
autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases and can enhance or
restrict the patient's immune response to disease, can stimulate a patient's
hematopoietic function, and prevent disease.
1) Biologic response-modifying drugs provide...
another treatment option for patients who have malignancies and/or are
receiving chemotherapy and need to boost blood cell counts.
2) Antirheumatic drugs decrease the body's autoimmune response for
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Breakdown of classes ... >>>>>>>> - biologic response-modifying drugs
(there are 2 broad classes):
1) Hematopoietic drugs
2) Immunomodulating drugs. (3 subgroups)
• Interferons (IFNs)
• Monoclonal antibodies (MABs)
• Interleukin (IL) receptor ag
nadir level - lowest point of WBC to receive chemo (450)
, Chapter 47: Biologic Response—Modifying and
Antirheumatic Drugs
huge risk of infection
MethotrexateMethotrexate
a. Mechanism of action
b. Adverse effects
c. Contraindications - * Methotrexate is a... Nonbiologic Disease-Modifying
Antirheumatic Drugs
DMARDs are drugs that modify the disease of RA. They exhibit anti-
inflammatory, antiarthritic, and immunomodulating effects and work by
inhibiting the movement of various cells into an inflamed, damaged area,
such as a joint.
* Methotrexate is an anticancer drug commonly used for the treat-ment of RA
in much lower dosages than those used for cancer. It is usually started at
dosages of 7.5 to 10 mg/wk but can be increased to 25 mg/wk. It is very
important to note that the drug is given once weekly, not once daily.
Methotrexate
a. Mechanism of action
b. Adverse effects
c. Contraindications - Bone marrow suppression is the main adverse effect
of methotrexate.
Most patients are advised to take supplemental folic acid to lessen the
likelihood of adverse effects.
The onset of antirheumatic action occurs after 3 to 6 weeks. The half-life of
the drug is 3 to 10 hours.
