An updated overview of immune complex mediated rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a widely known autoimmune disorder which affects the joints and cause major disability in affected population. Even though more emphasis is given in the western world for autoimmune research, people in developing countries are also suffering significantly due to autoimmune arthritis. This review is focused on the updates in rheumatoid arthritis research and developments in therapeutic strategies. The exact cause of this disease is unknown but primary cause for inflammatory changes in the joints are considered due to cytokine network imbalance and correcting this imbalance possibly will cure the disease. Using this knowledge the newer therapeutic approaches to rheumatoid arthritis are being aimed at correcting this imbalance. Recently three most promising therapeutic products appear to be the use of monoclonal antibodies to TNF-α, soluble TNF-α receptors, and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Other therapeutic agents that could regulate the cytokine network are in various stages of laboratory and clinical evaluation. But the need to study the causative factor and prognostic marker along with other approaches is much more important to prevent clinical remission and for the complete cure of the disease. This review highlights the important recent breakthrough in the field and some suggestions for significant basic research.