Vasculitis

Studies from University of Pittsburgh reveal new findings on monoclonal antibodies

"An increasing number of B cell-directed therapies are in development for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Like rituximab, which is approved as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many of these newer agents deplete B cells or target pathways essential for B cell development and function; however, many questions remain about their optimal use in the clinic and about the role of B cells in disease pathogenesis. Other therapies besides rituximab that target CD20 are the furthest along in development. Besides targeting CD20, the newer B cell-directed therapies target CD22, CD19, CD40-CD40L, B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). Rituximab is being tested in an ever-increasing number of autoimmune disorders and clinical studies of rituximab combined with other biological therapies are being pursued for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). B cell-directed therapies are being tested in clinical trials for a variety of autoimmune disorders including RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, vasculitis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP), the inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis and polymyositis) and the blistering skin diseases pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid," wrote M.C Levesque and colleagues, University of Pittsburgh.

The researchers concluded: "Despite the plethora of clinical studies related to B cell-directed therapies and wealth of new information from these trials, much still remains to be discovered about the pathophysiological role of B cells in autoimmune disorders."

Levesque and colleagues published their study in Clinical & Experimental Immunology (Translational Mini-Review Series on B Cell-Directed Therapies: Recent advances in B cell-directed biological therapies for autoimmune disorders. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 2009;157(2):198-208).

For additional information, contact M.C. Levesque, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA..

Publisher contact information for the journal Clinical & Experimental Immunology is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

Keywords: United States, Pittsburgh, Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorders, Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Device, Monoclonal Antibodies, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.