This article is part of the supplement: Basic science, rationale, background and future of abatacept

Highly Accessed Review

The evolving clinical profile of abatacept (CTLA4–Ig): a novel co-stimulatory modulator for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Eric M Ruderman* and Richard M Pope

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Author affiliations

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Citation and License

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2005, 7(Suppl 2):S21-S25 doi:10.1186/ar1688

Published: 16 March 2005

Abstract

Abatacept (CTLA4–Ig) is a novel fusion protein designed to modulate the T cell co-stimulatory signal mediated through the CD28–CD80/86 pathway. Clinical trials have provided preliminary evidence of the efficacy of this compound in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This review describes the molecular and biologic bases for the use of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis and summarizes the current clinical data on its safety and effectiveness in this disease.