Co-stimulatory blockade as therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
There is substantial evidence that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which T cells are aberrantly activated. Existing therapies, including anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies, are successful for many patients, but the goal of lasting remission still frequently proves elusive. One novel therapeutic strategy is the blockade of T-cell co-stimulation to modulate T-cell activation. The first co-stimulation blocker to reach clinical trials is abatacept (CTLA4Ig). Initial abatacept trials have shown promise and further phase III trials are underway.
Mackie
Sarah L
SL
Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, LS7 4SA, UK.
Vital
Edward M
EM
Ponchel
Frederique
F
Emery
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018796:Immunoconjugates; D007155:Immunologic Factors