Biologic Treatments Overview

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What is biologic therapy?

Biological or biologic therapy is a type of treatment used to stimulate or restore the ability of the body's immune system. Other names for this type of therapy include biotherapy or immunotherapy. It is used to treat cancer and other conditions, as it helps the body fight infection and disease.

What are biologics & what are they used for?

What Are Biologics? The term “biologic” refers to a wide group of therapies used to treat many different types of medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. You might also hear them called “biologic therapies,” “biological therapy,” or even “biopharmaceuticals.”

What is a biologic drug?

Last updated on Jan 18, 2024. What is a biologic? A biologic is a drug or vaccine made from a living organism. A biologic can be made from proteins, sugars, DNA, cells or living tissue, for example. The source may be human, animal or a microorganism (like a bacteria or virus).

How do biologics work?

"Biologics" refer to any type of medical therapy that is derived from living organisms such as humans, animals, or microorganisms. This contrasts with traditional non-biologic pharmaceutical drugs, which are synthesized in a laboratory via chemical processes without using parts of living things.

What are biologic medicines?

Biologic medicines are antibodies that are made by living cells in a lab. Antibodies are proteins that recognise and stick to specific targets. They are large, complex molecules. Biologics have been used to treat Crohn’s or Colitis for over 20 years. Other targeted medicines are made by chemical processes.

What are biologics & other targeted medicines?

Biologics and other targeted medicines are types of treatment for Crohn’s and Colitis. In general, they are prescribed for people with moderate to severe Crohn's or Colitis. This information provides an overview of biologics and other targeted medicines. It is for people who may be starting treatment with one, or considering it as an option.

How do biologic therapies treat rare diseases?

For example, some biologic therapies to treat rare diseases include enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease, blood clotting factors for hemophilia, or immunoglobulins for people with certain genetic immune disorders.

Are biologic medicines effective?

The first biologic medicines that are often tried are infliximab or adalimumab. This is because they have been used for a long time and are shown to be effective. But, if they don’t work well for you, there may be other biologics you can try. Treatment isn’t effective from the start. Biologic medicines don’t work for everyone.

What Is Biologic Treatments

1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/biologics-or-biological-agents-2615117
2. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/what-biologic-drug-3565613/
3. https://www.medicinenet.com/biological_therapy/article.htm

Biologic Treatments Information

1. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/symptoms-tests-treatments/treatments/biologic-therapies
2. https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/starting-biologic-medication
3. https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/sites/nhs/files/Leaflets/Severe%20asthma%20biologic%20service%20web.pdf
4. https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/biologic-and-advanced-therapies-autoimmune-conditions
5. https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/behind-the-science-magazine/the-logic-of-biologic-medicines/
6. https://www.health.com/biologics-7967282
7. https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/evclmrre/biologic-medicines-ed-2d-2023.pdf
8. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy