Novel rheumatoid arthritis treatment launched
Abatacept, a novel adjuvant rheumatoid arthritis treatment, was launched last week.
Marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as Orencia,
abatacept is indicated, in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment
of moderate to severe
active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have had an insufficient
response or intolerance to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
including at least one tumour necrosis factor inhibitor. It is administered
as a 30-minute intravenous infusion at a dose of 500mg, 750mg or 1,000mg,
depending on the patient’s weight.
Abatacept is a recombinant protein that consists of the extracellular
domain of human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 linked to
a modified Fc portion of human immunoglobulin G1. It modulates a key
co-stimulatory signal required for full activation of T lymphocytes expressing
CD28. By specifically binding to CD80 and CD86, abatacept selectively
inhibits a pathway in which CD80 and CD86 molecules on the surface of
antigen presenting cells bind to the CD28 receptor on T lymphocytes.
In this way it decreases antigen-specific tumor necrosis factor-alpha,
interferon-gamma, and
interleukin-2 production by T lymphocytes. Reduction in the progression
of joint damage and improvement of physical function have been demonstrated
during combination treatment with abatacept and methotrexate.
Notice-board p641
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