title: Spotlight on anti-CD25: daclizumab in MS.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are a promising new class of therapeutic agents that can be employed to target specific molecules of the immune system or any tissue. They are currently being tested in a number of clinical trials in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). One of these, the humanized monoclonal anti-CD25 antibody daclizumab (Zenapax), is directed against the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor alpha chain (CD25) that is involved in clonal expansion of autoreactive T-cells by binding of its ligand IL- 2. Several years ago daclizumab was approved for the prevention of renal allograft rejection. Following promising observations in uveitis, daclizumab has since been tested in a number of small clinical trials in MS based on the rationale that blocking CD25 would prevent the expansion of autoreactive T-lymphocytes. Safety and efficacy data from the preliminary clinical exploration as well as findings about the mechanism of action of anti-CD25 treatment are reviewed here.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitatsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. s.schippling@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: Dr Sven
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schippling
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000077561:Daclizumab; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D000077561:Daclizumab