Targeting the co-stimulatory signals that accompany antigen-derived signals involved in the activation of T cells represents a possible therapeutic approach for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This Review focuses on abatacept, a fusion protein that interrupts the co-stimulatory signal mediated through the CD28–CD80/CD86 pathway, and discusses its proposed mechanism of action and outlines data from clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Eric M Ruderman
- Richard M Pope
