CTLA-4 Ig as an effective treatment in a patient with type I diabetes mellitus and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis

We describe a patient suffering from seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM), who achieved a good EULAR response together with an improvement of the glycemic profile under treatment with CTLA-4 Ig. A close association is known to exist between T1DM and RA, and CTLA-4 exon 1 polymorphism has been associated to RA with coexisting autoimmune endocrinopathies. The possible common genetic background and the potential role of CTLA-4 Ig in the early phases of T1DM, could be considered in the therapeutic interventions in RA patients with type 1 diabetes.