Abatacept

[kiwibird]

Further to Tetano's post about Abatacept the drug used to control the effects of arthritis

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192304

The current study established that abatacept in association with traditional DMARDs significantly reduces the humoral response to pandemic 2009 influenza A/H1N1 vaccine in RA patients. The results suggest an influence of co-stimulatory modulation in humoral response to this vaccine

This is, obviously, not of benefit with regard to vaccination, but have patients who have been using this drug suffered unduly when it comes to actual flu? Does it inhibit cytokine storms?

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Abatacept

TARGETING OVERACTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE WITH ARTHRITIS DRUG MIGHT PROVE EFFECTIVE IN FIGHTING THE FLU, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

Read more: http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/abatacept.htm#ixzz26BzXBVub

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Abatacept

Apologies - this thread was meant to have been for discussion/contemplation. A question about immuno-modulators rather than just one specific drug. Anyone have any observations?

 

[Emily]

Re: Abatacept

That's a very interesting and hopeful article. If I'm understanding it right, you'd hope to see better flu outcomes in patients on one of these immune modulating drugs for other purposes as compared to patients with a similar profile who were not taking the drugs.

I think this hypothesis might be related:
http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877%2810%2900336-1/abstract

 

[DrRugby]

Re: Abatacept

Let me give a more macroscopic answer. Likely all immunmodulators will endow some amount of protection against viruses.
Remember that the virus does not kill you. It is your body's responce to the virus that kills you. Your lungs flood with both immunoresponce to the virus ultimately ending when the amount of cellular detritus begins to exert a powerful osmotic effect. The contents of the bronchioles and alveoli literally drown themselves.


In short, something as simple as an injection of corticosteroid can mean the difference between life and death.