Emerging drugs for psoriatic arthritis

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: The socioeconomic burden of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is considerable and not different from that of rheumatoid arthritis. Current treatment options do not always allow reaching the therapeutic objectives consisting of the remission of symptoms and prevention of the appearance of damage in the early stage of PsA or the blocking of PsA progression in the established cases. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: After reviewing the current treatment choices, we examine the new drugs in clinical Phase II and III trials for PsA up to January 2010. Information was mainly obtained from the network of international clinical trial registries. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: The current management of PsA includes NSAIDs, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-TNF-alpha blocking agents. These last drugs are more effective than traditional DMARDs on symptoms/signs of inflammation, quality of life and function and can inhibit the progression of the structural joint damage. Recent advancement in the knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of PsA has permitted the development of novel drugs including new TNF-alpha blockers, IL-1, -6, -12, -23 and -17 inhibitors, co-stimulator modulation inhibitors, B-cell depleting agents, small molecules and receptor activator of NF-kappaB/receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand inhibitors. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: The currently available anti-TNF-alpha blocking agents have revolutionized the management of PsA. However, there is a need for more effective and safer drugs.