RA gets first oral agent to compete with biologics
Reinke, T.
Managed Care 22(1): 12-13
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1062-3388 PMID: 23373132 Document Number: 14488
In November 2012, the FDA approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib) a novel nonbiologic medicine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the first Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for this disease. The Janus kinases are signaling pathways that affect RA's painful, eroding inflammation. Xeljanz will compete with the five biologic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, including the leading agents Enbrel and Humira. It will also compete with three other non-TNF biologics - Orencia, Actemra, and Rituxan - which are lesser used intravenous agents. Current treatment approaches often reserve the last three agents for patients who do not respond to TNF inhibitors, and some health plans require step therapy to access them.
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