Skip to main content

Table 1 DMARDs Evaluated

From: Systematic review of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Generic name

Mechanism of action

FDA-approved for JIA?*

Biologic

Abatacept

T-cell co-stimulation modulator; soluble fusion protein

Yes

Adalimumab

TNF inhibitor; anti-TNF monoclonal antibody

Yes

Anakinra

IL-1 receptor antagonist

No

Canakinumab

IL-1 inhibitor; anti-IL-1beta monoclonal antibody

No

Etanercept

TNF inhibitor; fusion protein TNF receptor inhibitor,

Yes

Infliximab

TNF inhibitor; anti-TNF monoclonal chimeric antibody

No

IVIG

Interaction with activating Fc receptors

No

Rilonacept

IL-1 inhibitory; soluble fusion protein

No

Rituximab

Binds to CD20 antigen

No

Tocilizumab

IL-6 receptor antagonist

No

Non-Biologic

Azathioprine

Purine synthesis inhibitor

No

Cyclosporine A

Calcineurin inhibitor

No

Penicillamine

Unknown (may lower IgM rheumatoid factor, depresses T-cell activity)

No

Hydroxy-chloroquine

Not well understood, may reduce T-lymphocyte transformation and chemotaxis

No

Leflunomide

Isoxazole immunomodulatory agent

No

Methotrexate

Unknown (anti-metabolite, inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase)

Yes

Mycophenolate mofetil

Guanosine synthesis inhibitor

No

Sulfasalazine

Unknown

Yes

Tacrolimus (FK506)

Calcineurin inhibitor

No

Thalidomide

Unknown

No

  1. *Labeling refers to any pediatric approval
  2. Abbreviations: CD cluster of differentiation, Fc fragment crystallizable, FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration, IgM immunoglobulin M, IL interleukin, IVIG intravenous immunoglobulin, JIA juvenile idiopathic arthritis, T-cell/-lymphocyte thymus cell/lymphocyte, TNF tumor necrosis factor