title: Monoclonal antibodies in the immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Sezione di Medicina Interna, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari. f.perosa@dimo.uniba.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perosa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luccarelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prete
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dammacco
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal