RESEARCH ARTICLE Abatacept decreases disea n n

immune disease affecting the joints in approximately 1 % of the world’s population [1, 2]. Patients with RA can an effective therapy for established RA [4, 5]. It is believed to be effective by blocking the costimulation of T cells Jansen et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2015) 17:220 DOI 10.1186/s13075-015-0731-1disease, the underlying autoimmune response is fully matured. Likewise, it is conceivable that the action of 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands Full list of author information is available at the end of the articlein whom anti–tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treat-ment has failed. It is likely that, in this phase of * Correspondence