title: Abatacept in psoriatic arthritis: Case report and short review.
abstract: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting about 6-10% of patients with cutaneous psoriasis. According to current knowledge, activated T-cells seem to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of both psoriasis and PsA. Abatacept is a novel biologic agent selectively designed to interfere with T-cells co-stimulation. Structurally, it is a soluble, fully human fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4) linked to a modified Fc portion of human IgG1. Abatacept is now approved as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but preliminary data disclose a potential role of abatacept in the treatment of other autoimmune diseases. In this article, we report a case of successful treatment with abatacept of a psoriatic arthritis patients who developed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medication commonly used in PsA, including three different anti-TNF-α agents. In addition, we review the scientific evidences supporting a possible role of abatacept in treatment of patients with psoriasis and PsA and the paradox of abatacept-induced psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ursini
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naty
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa Daniela
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Grembiale
keywords: Abatacept; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis