Journal
EXPERT OPINION ON INVESTIGATIONAL DRUGS
Volume 12, Issue 4, Pages 673-681Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1517/13543784.12.4.673
Keywords
CD28; costimulation blockade; CTLA4; CTLA4Ig rheumatoid arthritis; T cells
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disorder characterised by joint inflammation and destruction. Controversy exists regarding the significance and exact role of activated T cells in RA. CTLA4Ig is a soluble fusion protein (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 fused to the heavy chain constant region of human IgG1), which represents the first in a new class of agents called costimulation blockers. By blocking the second signal required for optimal T-cell activation, CTLA4Ig has demonstrated efficacy in a variety of spontaneous and induced animal models of autoimmunity. A Phase II clinical study in RA showed CTLA4Ig was efficacious with an acceptable safety profile. These results suggest that activated T cells may be important in RA pathogenesis and that costimulation blockade may be a novel therapeutic approach for this disorder.
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