title: Switching from intravenous to subcutaneous formulation of abatacept: a single-center Italian experience on efficacy and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Subcutaneous (SC) abatacept (ABA) is comparable to intravenous (IV) formulation in terms of efficacy and safety profile. Our work analyzed the switch to SC formulation from IV administration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one patients treated with SC ABA were included. Clinical data were obtained from clinical charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients relapsed and needed to return to the IV administration. Neither clinical and laboratory features nor the previous therapies were identified as risk factors for SC formulation inefficacy. Disease activity decreased after the return to IV infusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SC ABA showed a risk of relapse in 27% of cases. The reinsertion of the IV administration quickly reinstated disease control.
authors.affiliation: From the Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.R. Reggia, MD; F. Franceschini, MD; A. Tincani, MD; I. Cavazzana, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia. rossella.reggia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reggia
authors.affiliation: From the Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.R. Reggia, MD; F. Franceschini, MD; A. Tincani, MD; I. Cavazzana, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: From the Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.R. Reggia, MD; F. Franceschini, MD; A. Tincani, MD; I. Cavazzana, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.affiliation: From the Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.R. Reggia, MD; F. Franceschini, MD; A. Tincani, MD; I. Cavazzana, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cavazzana
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D057915:Drug Substitution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D000069594:Abatacept
keywords: ABATACEPT; EFFICACY; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; SAFETY; SUBCUTANEOUS FORMULATION; THERAPY