title: Modulating co-stimulation: a rational strategy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common destructive inflammatory disease that affects 0.5-1% of the population in many countries. Even though several new treatments have been introduced for patients with RA, a considerable proportion of patients do not benefit from these, and the need for alternative treatment strategies is clear. This review explores the potential for a therapy targeting the adaptive immune system by modulating co-stimulation of T cells with a CTLA4-Ig fusion protein (abatacept).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Vivianne.malmstrom@cmm.ki.se
authors.forename: Vivianne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malmström
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trollmo
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klareskog
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D000069283:Rituximab; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D000069283:Rituximab; D000069594:Abatacept