Introduction to biological treatment

Introduction To Biological Treatment

Linda Bradbury
Nurse Practitioner, Rheumatology, University of Queensland
President, Rheumatology Health Professionals Australia

Biological agents are again the new kid on the block; they’ve been around for a few years now and they’ve revolutionised the way we treat arthritic conditions as well.

Dr. Mona Marabani
Rheumatologist
President, Australian Rheumatology Association

When we talk about biologics we talk about a complex set of drugs which have different targets in the immune system and what they have in common is that they’re large proteins and they’re proteins that are made in living cells so they’re quite expensive drugs to make. But we know that they are very, very effective.

Wendy Favorito
Consumer Director Arthritis Australia
Chair, Arthritis Australia National Consumer Reference Group (rheumatoid arthritis)

So when I started my very first biologic, within a week the benefits were noticeable to everyone. I couldn’t believe I was the same person from a week before and I think in memory it probably took a couple of weeks to get the full effect but there was enough of an improvement in that first week that I felt like a new person. I could suddenly do things that, well I could care for myself independently but more importantly I could care for my son and it brought such joy to the whole family. So I felt great because my symptoms were under control and my pain was less and I could do more but it brought absolute joy to the whole family. My husband was just beside himself with excitement that he could see me do all the things that I wanted to do and for my mum and my sister – everyone benefited from that biologic I have to say, it wasn’t just me.

Dr. Irwin Lim
Rheumatologist

In 2003 we rheumatologists were allowed to prescribe biologic medications on the PBS. The government chose to subsidise it for rheumatoid arthritis. These medications have really changed how we treat patients. As a group, they are very effective medications. They’re not perfect because not every patient responds to them but they are a clear improvement over what we used to have.

Assoc. Professor Peter Youssef
Rheumatologist, Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Rheumatology and Orthopaedics, Sydney
Chair – Arthritis Australia Scientific Advisory Committee

The introduction of biological therapy was a revolution in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs not only control symptoms extremely well, they control inflammation, they prevent joint damage, and have been shown to improve life expectancy.