Definition of Biological therapy
Biological therapy: Treatment to stimulate or
restore the ability of the immune (defense) system to fight infection
and disease. Biological therapy is thus any form of treatment that
uses the body's natural abilities that constitute the immune system
to fight infection and disease or to protect the body from some of
the side effects of treatment.
Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy or biotherapy) often
employs substances called biological response modifiers (BRMs). The
body normally produces low levels of BRMs in response to infection
and disease. Large amounts of BRMs can be made in the laboratory to
treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases.
Forms of biological therapy include monoclonal antibodies,
interferon, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and several types of colony-
stimulating factors (CSF, GM-CSF, G-CSF). Interleukin-2 and
interferon are BRMs being tested for the
treatment of advanced malignant melanoma. Interferon is a BRM now in
use to treat hepatitis C.
Biologic therapy to block the action of a messenger of
inflammation called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is being used to
treat conditions such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) are examples of commercially available injectable TNF-
blocking treatments for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
The side effects of biological therapy depend on the type of
treatment. Often, these treatments cause flu-like symptoms such as
chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients develop a rash, and some bleed
or bruise easily. In addition, interleukin therapy can cause
swelling. Depending on how severe these problems are, patients may
need to stay in the hospital during treatment. These side effects are
usually short-term and they gradually go away after treatment
stops.
Last Editorial Review: 1/21/2004Common Misspellings: biological therpy
- infliximab, Remicade - Depicts the medication infliximab (Remicade), a drug used for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).
- etanercept, Enbrel - Details the medication etanercept (Enbrel) a drug used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
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