Therapeutic application of monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: focus on alemtuzumab

Masaaki NiinoDepartment of Clinical Research, Hokkaido Medical Center, Sapporo, JapanAbstract: Recent progress in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is significant, and the potential of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of MS has been highlighted. Natalizumab demonstrated a high level of efficacy for MS and is the first mAb to be approved for treatment of MS. Clinical trials of several types of mAbs for treatment of MS are in progress, and mAbs are expected to become the new choice of treatment for MS. Alemtuzumab is one of the most promising mAbs for treatment for MS, despite some side effects to be considered such as autoimmune hyperthyroidism, Goodpasture’s syndrome, and autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Any therapeutic agents for MS may carry risks of short- or long-term side effects; however, information regarding the long-term side effects of these new agents is lacking. Long-term adverse effects can often be recognized after the approval of agents. Here, recent progress on mAbs for the treatment of MS is reviewed, with a focus on alemtuzumab.Keywords: multiple sclerosis, monoclonal antibody, alemtuzumab, therapy, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis