In the abovementioned studies: Phase IIB study [9], ATTAIN [10], AIM [11], ATTEST [12], AGREE [13], ARRIVE [14], abatacept has been proven effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA patients who had failed either synthetic DMARDs or TNF-alpha inhibitors, with a maintained efficiency in controlling the disease activity up to 7 years. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.