New approaches of B-cell-directed therapy: beyond rituximab.
Article Details
- CitationCopy to clipboard
Dorner T, Burmester GR
New approaches of B-cell-directed therapy: beyond rituximab.
Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2008 May;20(3):263-8. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0b013e3282f5e08d.
- PubMed ID
- 18388516 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study reviews therapeutic approaches of direct and indirect B-cell targeting in autoimmune diseases and their impact on protective immunity. RECENT FINDINGS: Beyond recent clinical experiences with rituximab as B-cell-depleting agent, other biologicals targeting CD20, such as ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, hA20, and TRU-015 mainly deplete B cells and are under clinical investigation in different entities. Moreover, anti-CD22 targeting as another approach that has been studied in clinical trials showed a modest depletion, but inhibition of B-cell activation. More indirect innovative B-cell-affecting therapies comprise blockade of cytokines, such as B-cell-activating factor (BAFF/BLyS), APRIL, and their receptors as well as blockade of costimulation. Although decreases of immunoglobulin levels were seen, so far no major increases in infections were reported. SUMMARY: The value of certain B-cell-depletion therapies as well as other therapies modulating B-cell functions needs to be further delineated, especially in the therapeutic regimen of rheumatoid arthritis, specific collagen vascular diseases and vasculitis. Long-term observations of protective immunity are also needed to further evaluate the rate of infections.
DrugBank Data that Cites this Article
- Drug Targets
Drug Target Kind Organism Pharmacological Action Actions Ofatumumab B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 Protein Humans YesAntibodyRegulatorDetails