[Non-TNF biologicals in the therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis].

The spectrum of agents available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has become more diversified: In addition to TNF-blocking agents, Abatacept, Rituximab and Tocilizumab have now become available for the treatment of RA. All three agents were approved for patients with insufficient response/intolerability to TNF-blockers; Tozilizumab and Abatacept have also been approved for TNF-naive patients with insufficient response to Methorexate.The present article clarifies the efficacy of these three substances in the treatment algorithm of RA. Current data do not suggest differences in general; therefore, individual considerations may result in patient-specific decisions as to which drug should be used after insufficient response to a TNF-blocking agent or Methotrexate. Possible arguments are discussed.