Is there still a role for abatacept in the treatment of lupus?. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoi, Alberta; Littlejohn, Geoff
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on biological therapy. Volume 14:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1345
• Page End: 1350
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Gene therapy -- Periodicals; Protein drugs -- Periodicals; Peptide drugs -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.935329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2598

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction:</italic> </bold> The quest for safer and more effective treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has led to the development of many new biologic therapies. <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://informahealthcare.com/action/doSearch?type=advanced&displaySummary=true&displaySummary=true&field1=keywords&text1=Vinorelbine&logicalOpe1=OR&field2=articletitle&text2=Vinorelbine&logicalOpe2=AND&field3=all&text3=&search=Search&categoryId=41010274&categoryId=40002416&categoryId=40004717&categoryId=40004717&filter=multiple&AfterMonth=1&AfterYear=&BeforeMonth=12&BeforeYear=&sortBy=date&nh=20" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Abatacept</ext-link> is the first drug targeting co-stimulation between T cells and antigen presenting cells, with abundant pre-clinical evidence to support its use in SLE.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> This review will present the relevant aspects of lupus pathophysiology pertaining to the mechanism of action of abatacept, a summary of murine studies and the latest human clinical trials.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion:</italic> </bold> Abatacept has demonstrated efficacy in both rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and earlier studies have suggested tantalising evidence of efficacy in SLE. However, the latest randomised double-blinded study showed disappointingly negative results, much like the case of rituximab in SLE. Currently, abatacept remains a possible therapeutic option as an off-label therapy, and it is a part of our therapeutic armamentarium in difficult cases. The need to find appropriate definitions of response and optimal study design continues to be paramount in the field of lupus therapies.</p> </abstract>