Abatacept

Abatacept (marketed as Orencia) is a fusion protein composed of an immunoglobulin fused to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4, a molecule capable of binding B7. Abatacept is a selective costimulation modulator as it inhibits the costimulation of T cells. It was developed by Bristol-Myers-Squibb and is licensed in the United States for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the case of inadequate response to anti-TNFα therapy. Ordinarily, full T... more

Abatacept (marketed as Orencia) is a fusion protein composed of an immunoglobulin fused to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4, a molecule capable of binding B7. Abatacept is a selective costimulation modulator as it inhibits the costimulation of T cells. It was developed by Bristol-Myers-Squibb and is licensed in the United States for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the case of inadequate response to anti-TNFα therapy. Ordinarily, full T cell activation requires 1) binding of the T cell receptor to the antigen-MHC complex on the antigen presenting cell (APC) and 2) a costimulatory signal provided by the binding of the T cell's CD28 protein to the B7 protein on the APC. Abatacept, which contains a high-affinity binding site for B7, works by binding to the B7 protein on APCs and preventing them from delivering the costimulatory signal to T cells, thus preventing the full activation of T cells. Abatacept is the basis for the second-generation belatacept currently being tested in... less