Antibody Therapy

One example of a drug that uses antibody therapy is adalimumab, which is also known commercially as Humira, which you may have seen advertised on TV a few times. Before we start talking too much about Humira specifically, let me explain what a monoclonal antibody even is. According to Wikipedia, monoclonal antibodies all bind to one identical epitope, and they can be engineered to bind to virtually any epitope. Monoclonal antibodies are all produced by identical plasma cells that stem from a single B cell. The ability for scientists to design a specific monoclonal antibody to attach to a particular epitope makes them a useful tool in medicine. Monoclonal antibody therapies can treat many conditions, ranging from cancer to autoimmune diseases.

Humira is used to treat a wide variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. In patients with arthritis, Humira can prevent further joint damage, but it is not designed to repair damage that has already been done. As explained by Medicine Net, adalimumab is an antibody that works by binding to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and thereby inhibiting its ability to cause inflammation. This action prevents the inflammatory response that is often responsible for some of the signs and symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders. This antibody was approved for treatment by the FDA in December of 2002, and I did not realize that our biotechnology was advanced enough back them to be able to develop this type of drug.

Like with any medicine, several side effects are associated with the use of adalimumab. Some of the more serious side effects include infections, nervous system problems, blood problems, heart failure, liver problems, and psoriasis. More common side effects include upper respiratory infections, headaches, rash, and nausea. Taking Humira can also weaken your immune system, which can lead to reactivation of a latent TB infections or reactivation of a chronic hepatitis B infection. With that said, it is important for patients to be tested for both of these diseases before beginning treatment with Humira. Cancer may be associated with the use of adalimumab, but the connection is unclear because people with rheumatoid arthritis have higher rates of developing cancer anyway.