ABSTRACTAn early, aggressive approach to RA management is supported by long-term evidence which shows that newer and timely treatment strategies can halt progression and maintain disease remission, reduce adverse events and comorbidities, and improve patient function and quality-of-life. However, inadequate evaluation of patient disease status and improper sequencing of therapies may complicate early and aggressive clinical decision making. Patients often experience one or more inadequate responses to treatment, requiring DMARD or biologic switching, especially among patients with long-standing RA and concurrent diseases representing an area of great need. Thus, new agents are being developed and the number of available treatment options is vastly increasing, further widening gaps in knowledge related to new clinical data. This session will focus on new and emerging therapies in the management of RA including the pathophysiologic rationale for therapies that target small molecule and intracellular signaling pathways. Further, as these agents can differ substantially in their selectivity, potentially influencing efficacy and side effects, this session will explore the clinical profiles of new and emerging agents, including their mechanism of action, safety and efficacy, and their appropriate use within the RA patient population. Lastly, participants integrate these data into informed treatment decisions and will engage in developing evidence-based and individualized management strategies to achieve RA remission.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the pathophysiology of RA and rationale for small molecule and intracellular signaling targets
- Explain the mechanism-of-action, safety, efficacy and potential evidence-based role of newer and emerging therapies, including JAK inhibitors, within the management of RA
- Apply clinical data of newer and emerging therapies as well as available standardized assessment tools to informed step-up and therapeutic sequencing decisions
- Develop timely and aggressive management strategies for RA remission that are evidence-based and incorporate individual patient goals and preferences
