Abatacept.
New therapies, in particular the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-blocking drugs, have led to improved control of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis for a proportion of patients. There remains a need for therapies for patients who do not respond to these drugs or in whom they are contraindicated or not tolerated. There is evidence that T cells are involved in the initiation and perpetuation of rheumatoid arthritis. Abatacept is the first in a new class of drugs targeted at T-cell function in autoimmune disease: the costimulation blockers. It has shown safety and efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Further trials of this and other costimulation blockers are in progress in rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.
Vital
Edward M
EM
Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Emery
Paul
P
D000069594:Abatacept; D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069594:Abatacept