Modulating co-stimulation: a rational strategy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?

Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Vivianne.malmstrom@cmm.ki.se

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common destructive inflammatory disease that affects 0.5-1% of the population in many countries. Even though several new treatments have been introduced for patients with RA, a considerable proportion of patients do not benefit from these, and the need for alternative treatment strategies is clear. This review explores the potential for a therapy targeting the adaptive immune system by modulating co-stimulation of T cells with a CTLA4-Ig fusion protein (abatacept).

PMID: 15833144 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]