Anti-CD4 treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Is there still a place for this treatment principle in RA?

As a result of a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie autoimmune rheumatic diseases, biologic agents have been increasingly used in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The most extensive clinical experience has been obtained with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against CD4. This brief communication will summarize the rationales for treating RA patients with CD4-Mab, the clinical effects observed so far, and the further treatment trials which are warranted before anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody therapy should be excluded from the therapeutic repertoire for RA and other autoimmune diseases.