Combining BMS-986142 with abatacept (CTLA-4-Ig) in RA also represents an intriguing possibility based on the present results, especially as these agents represent two complementary mechanisms of action (T-cell co-stimulation and BCR-/FcγR-mediated effects) and would reasonably be expected to lead to enhanced efficacy in combination. This evidence concerns the gene CTLA4 and rheumatoid arthritis.