Therapeutic use of biologic agents in systemic vasculitides

Treatment of aggressive small, medium and large vessel vasculitides has relied on various chemotherapeutic agents, such as cyclophosphamide and methotrexate, that are generally effective but carry various risks for side effects. In an effort to develop safer forms of therapies for these disorders, various biological agents blocking particular lymphoid subpopulations and cytokines have been evaluated. This manuscript reviews the results of these investigations. As of now, no biological agents are yet the gold standard for treatment of any form of vasculitis, although they likely have roles in the treatment of particular patients.