Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Abatacept and serious respiratory infections in patients with previous lung disease

Karla L Miller1, Allen D Sawitzke, John Doane

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, The University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2404, USA. karla.miller@hsc.utah.edu

Clinical Rheumatology
|July 31, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Abatacept treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may pose risks for patients with underlying lung disease. Two cases show severe respiratory complications, highlighting the need for caution.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Abatacept is a biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) require careful monitoring during abatacept treatment.
  • Concerns exist regarding increased respiratory adverse events in this patient population.

Observation:

  • Two rheumatoid arthritis patients with pre-existing lung disease experienced severe respiratory complications.
  • These complications arose during abatacept therapy.

Findings:

  • The cases illustrate a potential risk of severe respiratory adverse events associated with abatacept in patients with underlying lung conditions.
  • The severity of these events underscores the importance of the stated precaution.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing abatacept to rheumatoid arthritis patients with underlying lung disease.
  • Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and incidence of these respiratory complications.
  • Risk-benefit assessment should be individualized for patients with comorbid lung conditions.

More Related Videos

Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation11:49

Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation

Published on: May 2, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...