Selective T-Cell Costimulation Modulation: A New Approach to Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract not available. Introduction provided instead.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 2.1 million adults in the United States, roughly 1% of the population.¹ Characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and progressive joint damage, RA disables, within 20 years, 80% of those it affects
and reduces average life expectancy by up to 18 years.²

Although the traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, and the biologic agents that target tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) or B cells have made tremendous inroads in reducing disability associated with RA, many people have either no response or inadequate or unsustained responses to these agents.³ For these patients, a new class, selective T-cell costimulation modulators, offers hope in the battle against this persistent, incurable disease. Abatacept is the first of such drugs to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of active RA.³