Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2026
Erosion Identification in Metacarpophalangeal Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis using High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography
Published on: October 6, 2023
Effect of abatacept on bone in patients with psoriatic arthritis-results from a prospective interventional
Alp Temiz1,2, Melek Yalcin-Mutlu1,2, Giulia Corte1,2
1Department of Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Objectives:
Abatacept (ABA) is a selective costimulation modulator that inhibits T cell activation. It is approved for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). While its efficacy in RA is well established, its effect on structural joint damage in PsA remains uncertain. This study evaluated the effects of ABA on erosive and proliferative bone changes in PsA using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) over 24 weeks.
Methods:
ABA bone effects in PsA with bone biomarkers is a prospective, single-arm, open-label, phase IV trial including patients with active PsA (≥2 swollen/tender joints and ≥1 hand joint erosion at baseline). Participants received weekly subcutaneous ABA (125 mg) for 24 weeks; those with good clinical response at week 12 continued treatment. Bone changes were assessed by HR-pQCT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and week 24. The primary endpoint was change in erosion volume.
Results:
Fifteen patients (mean age 59.5 ± 9 years) were enrolled; 8 continued treatment through week 24. ABA led to a reduction in clinical disease activity. Imaging showed no new erosions or significant erosion progression, and no new structural entheseal lesions on HR-pQCT or MRI. Inflammatory MRI changes persisted in some cases. ABA was well tolerated with no new safety signals.
Conclusions:
ABA prevented new erosions and structural entheseal lesions over 24 weeks, indicating a potential osteoprotective effect. These results suggest ABA may modulate bone remodelling in PsA and help preserve joint structure alongside clinical improvements.
