Treatment of refractory autoimmune diseases with ablative immunotherapy

Yossi Cohen, Arnon Nagler*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunological manipulations are the basis of modern therapy for refractory autoimmune diseases (AID). Ablative chemotherapy with stem cell support (autotransplant) as well as targeted immunotherapy using specific monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab (R) and campath 1-H have become acceptable second line therapy for severe refractory AID. Until now, more than 500 autotransplants have been performed worldwide for various autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with encouraging results, although transplant related mortality (TRM) in the range between 2 and 17% still remains one of the major limitations of the procedure. Immunotherapy is a relatively safe approach associating with sustained remissions in a considerable proportion of treated patients. Better selection of patients and earlier immunotherapy, preceded an irreversible organ damage might further improve the clinical outcome of patients with AID.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-29
Number of pages9
JournalAutoimmunity Reviews
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Feb 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autoimmune disease
  • CAMPATH-1H
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Rituximab
  • Stem cell transplantation
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Systemic sclerosis

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