INFO - Q and A on Orencia (abatacept)

[Guest guest]

Arthritis Foundation

Arthritis Today

March 2006

Q: I just heard that a new biologic has been approved for RA. Would it be

worth switching from Enbrel?

A: The new biologic you heard about is abatacept (Orencia). Although it is

the fifth biologic agent to be approved for RA, it is the first in a new

subset of biologics known as co-stimulation blockers.

Unlike the other biologics - which work by blocking interleukin-1 (IL-1) or

tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) - Orencia works by shutting off a signal

that activates T cells, key components of the inflammatory process.

Because Orencia works differently and earlier in the inflammation process

than the other biologics, it has proven effective for many people whose RA

has not responded to those agents. In fact, Orencia is approved specifically

for people for whom disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or

TNF-a-blocking biologics have not been effective.

Orencia is administered in a series of 30-minute infusions in a doctor's

office or infusion center. It can be given alone or with a DMARD such as

methotrexate. It cannot, however, be taken with other biologic agents,

because the combination could greatly increase the risk of serious

infections. Otherwise, the potential side effects of Orencia are similar to

those of the TNF-a inhibitors, such as adalimumab (Humira), etanercept

(Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), and include an allergic-type skin

reaction at the infusion site and increased risk of infection or lymphoma.

I can't say if you should switch to Orencia, but it would be worth

mentioning to your doctor.

LESLIE CROFFORD, MD

Rheumatologist

http://arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2006_archives/2006_03_04/on_call_p\

3.asp

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org