title: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: It is apparent that the potential to significantly affect the immune response exists through artificial modulation of a system of molecules on the surface of T cells that has been designed to specifically provide on-off switches to support or abrogate the activation of T cells. This approach holds considerable promise because it avoids toxicities associated with cell lysis, while theoretically specifically affecting only those T cells, which are being continuously stimulated to become activated. Although there is presently a paucity of studies in humans on the clinical effects of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, the existing studies indicate a clear therapeutic value with this approach.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Rheumatology, 1367 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12203, USA. jkremer@joint-docs.com
authors.forename: Joel M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kremer
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D000069594:Abatacept; D008727:Methotrexate