Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Rheumatology

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies such as TNFα and Iterleukin blockers have revolutionised the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, where they are recommended in cases where traditional therapy has failed.

Biologic drugs such as Infliximab, Adalimumab, Etanercept, Golimumab and Ustekinumab reduce inflammation and elicit good clinical response when the serum drug levels are measurable, but if the patient experiences an increased rate of drug clearance this can lead to treatment failure.

​

In addition to bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, drug clearance is affected by immunogenicity. If the drugs induce an immunogenic response the anti-drug antibodies can increase drug clearance and increase the likelihood of treatment failure - both during induction phase, or during maintenance phase of treatment.

​

Monitoring the serum drug concentrations of biologic therapies such as Infliximab, Adalimumab, Etanercept, Golimumab and Ustekinumab may help clinicians to navigate the risks associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs), primary non-response (PNR) and loss of response (LOR). Such a strategy could be enormously beneficial to patients, providers and payers.

​

BIOHIT HealthCare has specialised in the therapeutic drug monitoring market for 10 years and supplies some of the leading centres in the UK offering Therapeutic Drug Monitoring services.