Unintended Immunological Consequences of Biologic Therapy.
Recent advances in the understanding of immune dysregulation in autoimmune diseases have enabled the development of new monoclonal antibody-based drugs called biologics. Biologics have been used to target aberrant immune responses in many diseases, but patients with rheumatologic and other autoimmune diseases have benefited the most and improvements in outcomes have been significant. The use of biologics is not without hazard, however, as these agents block immune pathways adapted to protect the host. This has been borne out by increased rates of infections as well as induction of new autoimmune and hematologic adverse effects. As new drugs for the treatment of autoimmune conditions are entering the pipeline, it is incumbent on the practicing immunologist to understand the mechanism of these biologics and the implications of clinical use.
Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3550 Market St. 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Sarah E
SE
Henrickson
Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3550 Market St. 3rd floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Melanie A
MA
Ruffner
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 3300 Thurston, CB #7280, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. mildred.kwan@med.unc.edu.
Mildred
M
Kwan
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
D001688:Biological Products
Autoimmune disease; Biologic safety; Biologics; Monoclonal antibody; Primary immunodeficiency; Secondary immunodeficiency