Biologic medicines are targeted medicines that block specific molecules in your immune system from doing their job.
Biologics work by blocking the communication between different cells in your immune system. By blocking communication, the immune system cannot work as effectively as a team to tcause inflammation.
More specifically, the communication molecules called cytokines are either blocked from being made or from communicating with other cells of your immune system.
All medicines in this family work by blocking the inflammatory cytokine called TNF from promoting further inflammation via different cells of your immune system, as well as bone cells.
Abatacept specifically blocks T cells (a type of lymphocyte, which is a subtype of white blood cell) from becoming active. These cells communicate with other cells and produce cytokines leading to inflammation.
Rituximab sticks to B cells (a type of lymphocyte, which is a subtype of white blood cell) and removes them from the body. This keeps B cells from making antibodies and cytokines that cause inflammation.
Tocilizumab blocks the inflammatory cytokine called interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 acts on B cells, T cells and bone cells leading to joint inflammation/damage.
