Effect on Orencia (Abatacept) on the Apoptosis of T Cells, B Cells and APC Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In Vivo Effect on Orencia (Abatacept) on the Apoptosis of T Cells, B Cells and Antigen Presenting (APC) Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This proposal will test the hypothesis that Orencia affects apoptosis and apoptosis related genes/biomarkers in vivo in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Orencia may regulate apoptosis and apoptosis related genes in vivo in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient's cells. To date, no studies have been performed to evaluate the effect of Orencia on apoptosis in RA patients.

Primary: To determine the effect of Abatacept in the apoptosis of T cells, B cells and antigen presenting cells (APC) in RA patients at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.

Secondary: To evaluate the association between the changes in apoptosis to changes in disease activity measures (DAS28/ESR) over 6 months of treatment with subcutaneous injection of abatacept.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Over age 18
2. Meeting ACR Criteria 1987 for RA diagnosis
3. Naïve to treatment with abatacept
4. Must be able to understand information in the Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy or breast feeding
2. Previous exposure to abatacept.
3. History of a concomitant autoimmune disease (eg. SLE, PsA etc.)
4. Patients with history of cancer