Chimeric CD4 monoclonal antibody cM-T412 as a therapeutic approach to rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of chimeric CD4 monoclonal antibody cM-T412 treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Thirty-two RA patients received daily doses of 10, 50, or 100 mg of cM-T412 intravenously for 7 days.

RESULTS

There was a sustained decrease in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in all patients. Those who received 50 mg and 100 mg of the antibody experienced significant reductions in disease activity.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with cM-T412 appears to have a dose-dependent beneficial effect in RA patients. The clinical effects of cM-T412 are independent of the depressed numbers of circulating CD4+ T cells.