Study to Assess Steady-State Trough Concentrations, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Abatacept After Subcutaneous (SC) Administration to Subjects With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A Study to Assess the Steady-State Trough Serum Concentration, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Abatacept (BMS-188667) Administered Subcutaneously in Subjects With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Are Receiving Disease Modifying Ant-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

The purpose of this study is to study serum levels of Abatacept after subcutaneous dosing in subjects with RA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meet ARA criteria for diagnosis of RA with active disease.
• RA diagnosis for at least 1 year.
• > = 6 swollen joints.
• > = 8 tender joints.
• Taking methotrexate (MTX) or MTX plus not more than 1 added oral DMARD for > = 3 months and stable for 28 days prior to dosing.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious acute or bacterial infection in last 3 months.
• Chronic or recurrent bacterial infections.
• History of TB within previous 3 years or old TB not adequately treated.
• Specific lab test abnormalities
• History of cancer within 5 years.
• Exposure to CTLA4Ig (Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (T-cell)-associated antigen 4Ig), belatacept, rituximab, efalizumab, alefacept, or other investigational drug or biologic.
• Treatment with hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, leflunomide, immunoadsorption columns, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, D-Penicillamine or calcineurin inhibitors.
• Exposure to live vaccines.