Monoclonal antibodies in the immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases.
The present report critically reviews the rationale, clinical effectiveness and limits of monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, with particular emphasis on tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking reagents. Reference will also be made to active immunotherapy whereby an endogenous response induced by anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies or peptides toward molecules regarded as passive immunotherapy targets, is expected to mediate the therapeutic effects.
Perosa
F
F
Sezione di Medicina Interna, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari. f.perosa@dimo.uniba.it
Luccarelli
G
G
Prete
M
M
Dammacco
F
F
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal