Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin in rheumatoid arthritis.

It is apparent that the potential to significantly affect the immune response exists through artificial modulation of a system of molecules on the surface of T cells that has been designed to specifically provide on-off switches to support or abrogate the activation of T cells. This approach holds considerable promise because it avoids toxicities associated with cell lysis, while theoretically specifically affecting only those T cells, which are being continuously stimulated to become activated. Although there is presently a paucity of studies in humans on the clinical effects of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, the existing studies indicate a clear therapeutic value with this approach.