Abstract

THE USE OF BIOLOGICS IN THE TREATMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE: A REVIEW

Blessy Fernandes*, A R Shabaraya, Suchetha Kumari

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing inflammation, tissue damage, and organ failure. Autoimmune diseases can affect any part of the body and can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. The traditional treatment for autoimmune diseases includes the use of immunosuppressive drugs which suppress the immune system to prevent further damage. However, these drugs are not always effective and can cause significant side effects.[1] Biologics, a newer class of drugs have emerged as an alternative treatment option for autoimmune diseases. They are a type of medication that are derived from living organisms rather than from chemical synthesis. There are several reasons why biologics have become increasingly popular in recent years. Firstly, they have been shown to be very effective in treating certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, where other treatments have been less successful. Biologics work by targeting specific proteins in the body that are involved in the disease process, rather than simply suppressing the immune system as many traditional drugs do. Because they are designed to be highly targeted, they can often be administered at lower doses than traditional drugs, reducing the risk of side effects. Finally, biologics have become more widely available in recent years due to advances in manufacturing and production. This has made them more affordable and accessible to patients, and has led to their increased use in clinical practice. In this review article, we will explore the use of biologics in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, as well as the types of biologics available, their mechanism of action and their common side effects.

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