title: Use of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Abatacept (CTLA-Ig), a modulator of T-lymphocyte activation, has been approved by the Swiss health regulatory agency Swissmedic for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This article summarises the key trial findings for this biologic agent in RA in different situations such as early erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), biologic-naïve RA, RA before and after the use of methotrexate or TNF-inhibitors and includes safety information from these trials. Based on these data, recommendations for clinical practice in Switzerland are made by a panel of experts.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation/Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland. johannes.kempis@kssg.ch
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Kempis
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudler
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hasler
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kyburz
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tyndall
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zufferey
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Villiger
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069594:Abatacept; D008727:Methotrexate