title: Co-stimulatory molecules as targets for treatment of lupus.
abstract: Co-stimulatory molecules help to regulate interactions between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus. Both work in murine models and some early studies in human lupus support further examination of these molecules as therapeutic targets. Complexities of lupus clinical trial variables may have hampered progress in this area but recent developments in the field may make interventional trials more feasible in the near future. To date biologics which provide direct blockade of interactions between CD40 and CD154, B7RP-1 and ICOS, and CD80 or CD86 with CD28 have been assessed in multicenter clinical trials. These data will be reviewed and critiqued.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, University of Oklahoma, 825 NE 13th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, USA. joan-merrill@omrf.org
authors.forename: Joan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Merrill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D060945:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D060889:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D060945:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Ligand; D060889:Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein; D023201:CD40 Ligand
keywords: Abatacept; CD40; CD40 ligand; CTLA4; CTLA4Ig; Co-stimulatory molecules