Fig. 6

Changes in Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) (a, b) and CD4+ T-cell counts (c, d) over cycle 1 and cycle 2 in first-cycle non-responders (a, c) (n = 10) and in first-cycle responders (b, d) (n = 20). Pre-treatment and 3 or 6 months post-treatment data are shown as scatter dot plots (first cycle non-responders n = 10; first-cycle responders, n = 20). Each dot represents one patient and lines represent the mean with SD. For DAS28-ESR analysis, the level defining low disease activity is represented (DAS28 ≤ 3.2). Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment values was made using Wilcoxon’s matched-pairs signed rank test: ****p < 0.0001, ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.005, *p < 0.05; NS not significant