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Definition of a Biologic Drug

According to the National Cancer Institute, a biologic drug is "a substance that is made from a living organism or its products and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases."

  1. Types of Biologic Drugs

    • Biologic drugs, also known as biologic agents or biological agents, may include antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines.

    Antibodies

    • Antibodies are specialized immune proteins that fight against infection and its ill effects. An example would be monoclonal antibodies used to treat cancer, which are laboratory-produced molecules that can attach to certain defects in your cancer cells.

    Interleukins

    • Interleukins are a group of cytokines that are expressed by white blood cells, or leukocytes. Interleukins are used to make biologic drugs to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and M.S.

    Vaccines

    • Vaccines are biological compounds that help improve immunity to certain diseases. An example of a vaccine biological compound would be a flu shot.

    Future of Biologic Drugs

    • Biologic drugs look promising for the future due to better long-term outcomes and fewer side effects. In 2009, biologic drugs are costly but increased demand should drive down their price in the future.

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