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A 38-year-old member asked:
Is orencia (abatacept) a type of chemotherapy?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Devon Websteranswered
Medical Oncology 23 years experience
No: Orencia, or abatacept, is a medication that blocks t cells, which are part of your immune system. Orencia is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and is given intravenously. It can depress your immune system, but it is not the same as chemotherapy. I would call it an immunomodulatory drug.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. PHILIP WALLERanswered
Rheumatology 34 years experience
No: It is not classified as a chemotherapy drug and should not be considered one. It works through a type of cell we all have in our body called t cells. It works with t cells in decreasing inflammation. There is much more to how the drug works but again it is not a chemotherapy agent.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
30 years experience
No: Orencia (abatacept) is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It is not used to treat cancer.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 21, 2018
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