Neeraj Jain (editor) - Handbook of Biologics for Rheumatological Disorders

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It was sheer serendipity, while going through recent chapters and books on rheumatology, written and edited by our brethren, that we decided to embark on this project.

The purpose was to bring out something different, handy, and useful for the beginners as well as for the experienced, in one of the most exciting and happening aspects in rheumatological disordersthe BIOLOGICS. The aforementioned agents have virtually transformed the entire spectrum of approach in managing these often difficult to treat conditions.

From the discovery of MABs (monoclonal antibodies) in 1975, it took about two and a half decades for the approval of the first molecule in rheumatoid arthritis. In the last 10 years or so, there has been an avalanche of sorts of these agents in various fields of rheumatology. The latest kid on the block, the JAK inhibitors, the so-called oral biologics, have been added to the armamentarium.

This treatise is a novel attempt to portray the utility of on the shelf and in the pipeline biologics, in common rheumatological diseases. It includes a fascinating introduction to their history, along with a birds-eye view of their use in the presence of infections, malignancies, their ethical aspects, their off-label use, and the biosimilars, the latter being so very cost relevant in our context. The chapters on biologics in pediatric rheumatologic disorders as well as in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis add value to this book. And finally their usefulness in conditions as varied and diverse as uveitis, sarcoidosis, and the nascent IgG4-related disease will, in all likelihood, complete the major groups where these drugs may be of importance.

It is not to project the biologics as the be-all and end-all of treatment in rheumatology. It is a known fact that rheumatologists have to tread very carefully in their use. And except for spondyloarthritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, and perhaps a few other conditions, their upfront use is not projected and approved at this moment of time.

Contributions from the plethora of pan-India talent, along with a sprinkling of international flavor of erudite scholars, while adding value to this book, will further enrich the knowledge of the readers.

We hope, this one of a kind work, with a virtual catalogue of biologics, is of help to all those looking for a quick reference regarding the practicability of these wonder drugs in the field of rheumatology.