Not all children with JIA will require treatment with so-called ‘biologic’ drugs. But for those whose arthritis cannot be fully managed with other medications, biologics can play a crucial role in their treatment.
Biologic drugs are given by infusion into a vein or subcutaneous injection, and are most effective when given in combination with Methotrexate. They work by targeting specific components of the immune system.
WWCIH VIDEO: infusIONS
For all types of JIA:
-
- TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) inhibitors: Adalimumab, Etanercept, and Inflixumab
- Interleukin-6 inhibitor: Tocilizumab
- T-cell co-stimulation inhibitor: Abatacept
- For systemic-onset JIA: Interleukin-1 (Anakinra) and Interleukin-6 (Tocilizumab) inhibitors
- For psoriatic and enthesitis related JIA: Interleukin-17 inhibitor (Secukinumab)
- For polyarthritis JIA: B-cell inhibitor (Rituximab)
In many cases, a child who initially responds well to one biologic therapy may later need to be put on a different one. Finding the best treatment at any given time requires close communication between patient and medical staff.
