Has your doctor ever talked about a 'Biologic' drug? Or have you seen this word on TV or the Internet? Although it may seem like a complicated word, many people say that this is the future of medicine. So, today we will talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly are biologics?
Simply put, biologics are a special type of medicine made from living things, or living cells. The medicines we usually use, such as paracetamol and aspirin, are made in a laboratory by adding chemicals. But biologics are made in a completely different way.
Think of it this way. Scientists take living cells (for example, a bacterial cell) and identify the proteins and genes inside those cells that are needed for our disease. Then, they modify those genes, grow those cells on a large scale, and use those cells to produce the pharmaceutical protein we need. We call this process biotechnology .
This process is very complex and delicate. And it costs much more than making a normal medicine. But with this method, it has been possible to successfully treat many complex diseases that are difficult to cure with normal chemical medicines.
Types of biologics and when they are used
Biologics are not a single drug. They are a class of drugs. Let's look at some examples of this class and what types of diseases they are used for.
| Biologic type | Use cases |
|---|---|
| Vaccines | To prevent infectious diseases (e.g. measles, polio, COVID-19). These are one of the oldest biologics. |
| Insulin | To control diabetes. |
| Immunotherapy | To stimulate the body's own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. |
| Monoclonal Antibody Therapy | As targeted therapies for autoimmune diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Stem Cell Therapy | For blood-related cancers (such as leukemia) and other blood diseases. |
| Gene Therapy | To correct congenital genetic diseases. |
| Biologic DMARDs | To control joint swelling diseases such as arthritis. |
What are the benefits of biologics?
There are several benefits of these medications.
Targeted Therapy
Conventional medications sometimes affect healthy cells as well as diseased cells. But biologics are designed to work in a very specific way . For example, in an autoimmune disease, these drugs can target a specific protein that is causing a problem in the body's immune system and stop it from working. This can reduce side effects.
Saving lives and improving quality of life
- Vaccines: These have helped eradicate diseases like smallpox from the world, saving millions of lives every year.
- Cancer Treatment: Biologics like immunotherapy have increased the lifespan and improved the quality of life of cancer patients.
- Blood Donation: Donating blood and plasma in case of an accident also comes under Biologics. We know how many lives these save.
Chronic disease management
Biologics are very effective in controlling long-term, painful conditions like arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis. They can also sometimes help prevent the side effects of long-term use of medications like corticosteroids.
So aren't there any disadvantages to biologics?
Along with the advantages, there are also some disadvantages and risks that we should be aware of.
- Difficulty of production and high cost: As we discussed earlier, the process of making these drugs is very complex. Therefore, the cost of producing them is very high. That is why these drugs are very expensive .
- The body's immune system's response: Because these drugs are made from living things, sometimes our body's immune system sees this drug as a foreign invader. That is, our body may think that it is a germ that causes disease. Then the body starts making antibodies against this drug. If that happens, the drug loses its effect. Some people may even have allergic reactions .
- Often given as an injection: Biologics are often not available as pills. They are given as an injection under the skin (self-injection) or through a vein (IV infusion) . So this can be a bit uncomfortable for someone who doesn't like needles. There may also be redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site.
- Risk of infection: This risk is especially high when taking immunosuppressant biologics. These medications reduce the activity of your immune system to some extent, which can reduce your ability to fight off foreign germs (bacteria, viruses). This can make you more susceptible to infections than normal.
Because of these risks, before using biologics, your doctor will evaluate your complete health condition and carefully weigh the benefits and potential risks of these medications.
Should I ask my doctor about biologics?
Depending on your condition, your doctor may suggest other treatments first, as they are more readily available and may be more effective for your condition.
However, biologics are life-changing for many people with serious chronic diseases who have not responded to other treatments. So your doctor may suggest these as the next step in your treatment. Only your doctor can make the best decision about this.
While conventional medicine will always have a place in medicine, biologics are arguably the future of treating diseases in a more precise, targeted manner, with fewer side effects. Scientists are continuing to develop this technology, even trying to find treatments for diseases that are currently incurable.
Take-Home Message
- Biologics are a type of advanced, modern medicine produced from living cells.
- These are used to treat severe and chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
- Although these medications are very effective, they can be expensive and carry a risk of allergies and infections.
- Most biologics are given by injection.
- Always discuss with your doctor whether a biologic drug is right for you.
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