title: Therapeutic monitoring of immunotherapies in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Immunosuppressive treatment still is an important element in the management of autoimmune mediated diseases. However, immunosuppressive therapy is often complicated by a narrow therapeutic index and high variability of treatment response. This review discusses the clinical management and monitoring strategies for the use of ciclosporin A, tacrolimus, azathioprine, mycophenolat mofetil, mitoxantrone and some monoclonal antibodies with focus on natalizumab.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Labor Bremen, Haferwende 12, 28357 Bremen, Germany. nahsen@gwdg.de
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: von Ahsen
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D000069442:Natalizumab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069442:Natalizumab