THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES ON IL-17 LEVELS WITH CD20 VERSUS TNF-Α INHIBITORS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Back ground: Rheumatoid     arthritis    (RA)    is    a  chronic    ,     systemic   , inflammatory  disorder that may affect many tissues and organs ,once a diagnosis is made , the main treatment goals are to control  disease activity and slow  the rate of joint damage  ,in addition to minimizing pain, stiffness, inflammation and complications. Important    role of IL-17 in the development   of    disease   and   can be used as a marker for monitoring of disease activity. 

 Aim of the Study The   aim of   the present study to evaluate the effects of CD20 inhibitors    therapy    in comparison to effects of TNF α inhibitors therapy    on   IL-17    in   patients   with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Results:- results obtained in the present study showed that serum level of IL-17were also  decrease significantly in   patients   treated  with  Rituximab  group 3 ( 2.28 )  than those   of  group 2 Etanercept  (anti-TNFα) treate d  group    patients (3.3). 

Conclusion: - the   role of IL-17 in the development   of    disease   and   can be used as a marker for monitoring of disease activity