Table 2.
Biologic drugs in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis.
| Drug | Mechanism of Action | Clinical Efficacy | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVIg | Blocks binding of - serum Ig, - B cell surface Ig, - T cell antigen receptors to their respective antigens |
- improvement of skin score - improvement of hand function - reduction of joint pain |
RCT: 58 Other: 56, 57 |
| Belimumab | human anti-BLyS mAb | - improvement in skin fibrosis (MMF as background medication) |
RCT: 62 |
| Tocilizumab | humanized anti- IL-6 receptor mab | - improvement in skin thickness and arthritis | RCT: 70 Other: 65–69, 71 |
| Abatacept | recombinant CTLA4-Ig fusion protein Blocks T cell co-stimulation |
- improvement in skin thickness - amelioration of arthritis |
RCT: 72 Other: 69, 73, 74 |
| Rituximab | chimeric anti-CD20 mAb | - improvement of skin score - improvement or maintenance of lung function tests (FVC, DLCO) |
RCT: 81, 82 Other: 79–81, 83, 84–86 |
| Fresolimumab | human anti TGFβ mab (neutralizes all 3 TGFβ isoforms) | - improvement in skin fibrosis | 96 |
IVIg: Intravenous Immunoglobulin, RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial, mab: monoclonal antibody, BLyS: B Lymphocyte Stimulator, MMF: Mycophenolate Mofetil.