Promise of immunotherapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis
An experimental monoclonal antibody has shown promise as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers tested the antibody, which binds to the 4-1BB protein (a
costimulatory receptor on the surface of T cells) in a mouse model of
the disease.
Mice given a control injection had joints that were heavily infiltrated
with leukocytes and had synovial hyperplasia, cartilage destruction and
bone erosion. In contrast, the joints of mice treated with anti-4-1BB
appeared normal and free of disease. Control mice also showed high levels
of certain inflammatory cytokines that were low or undetectable in treated
animals.
“A therapeutic approach based on triggering 4-1BB holds much promise,” say
the researchers.
They explain that the triggering of 4-1BB produced an antigen-specific
expansion of interferon-producing T cells, while selectively inhibiting
the population of T cells responsible for the development of rheumatoid
arthritis.
They conclude that the unique action of anti-4-1BB “provides a
remarkable opportunity to treat autoimmune diseases without global immunosuppression”.
The study is published in the October issue of Nature Medicine (2004;10:1088). |
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