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Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy Oct 2016Outcome for glioma (GBM) remains dismal despite advances in therapeutic interventions including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical resection. The overall survival... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Outcome for glioma (GBM) remains dismal despite advances in therapeutic interventions including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical resection. The overall survival benefit observed with immunotherapies in cancers such as melanoma and prostate cancer has fuelled research into evaluating immunotherapies for GBM.
AREAS COVERED
Preclinical studies have brought a wealth of information for improving the prognosis of GBM and multiple clinical studies are evaluating a wide array of immunotherapies for GBM patients. This review highlights advances in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches. We discuss the strategies and outcomes of active and passive immunotherapies for GBM including vaccination strategies, gene therapy, check point blockade and adoptive T cell therapies. We also focus on immunoediting and tumor neoantigens that can impact the efficacy of immunotherapies.
EXPERT OPINION
Encouraging results have been observed with immunotherapeutic strategies; some clinical trials are reaching phase III. Significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic heterogeneity of GBM and its implications to disease prognosis. There is now consensus related to the critical need to incorporate tumor heterogeneity into the design of therapeutic approaches. Recent data also indicates that an efficacious treatment strategy will need to be combinatorial and personalized to the tumor genetic signature.
Topics: Animals; Forecasting; Genetic Therapy; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Immunotherapy; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 27411023
DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2016.1212012 -
Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England) Feb 2023The COVID-19 pandemic severely tested the resilience of the US blood supply with wild fluctuations in blood donation and utilisation rates as community donation... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic severely tested the resilience of the US blood supply with wild fluctuations in blood donation and utilisation rates as community donation opportunities ebbed and hospitals post-poned elective surgery. Key stakeholders in transfusion services, blood centres, supply chains and manufacturers reviewed their experiences during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as well as available literature to describe successes, opportunities for improvement and lessons learned. The blood community found itself in uncharted territory responding to restriction of its access to donors (approximately 20% decrease) and some supplies; environmental adjustments to address staff and donor concerns about coronavirus transmission; and the development of a new product (COVID-19 convalescent plasma [CCP]). In assuring that the needs of the patients were paramount, the donation process was safe, that clinicians had access to CCP, and vendor relationships aligned, the blood banking community relearned its primary focus: improving patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; United States; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics; COVID-19 Serotherapy; Blood Donors; Immunization, Passive
PubMed: 35918741
DOI: 10.1111/tme.12896 -
European Journal of Medical Research Jan 2022SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, is the agent responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and is a major public health concern nowadays. The rapid and global spread of this... (Review)
Review
SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, is the agent responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and is a major public health concern nowadays. The rapid and global spread of this coronavirus leads to an increase in hospitalizations and thousands of deaths in many countries. To date, great efforts have been made worldwide for the efficient management of this crisis, but there is still no effective and specific treatment for COVID-19. The primary therapies to treat the disease are antivirals, anti-inflammatories and respiratory therapy. In addition, antibody therapies currently have been a many active and essential part of SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Ongoing trials are proposed different therapeutic options including various drugs, convalescent plasma therapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin therapy, and cell therapy. The present study summarized current evidence of these therapeutic approaches to assess their efficacy and safety for COVID-19 treatment. We tried to provide comprehensive information about the available potential therapeutic approaches against COVID-19 to support researchers and physicians in any current and future progress in treating COVID-19 patients.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; COVID-19 Serotherapy
PubMed: 35027080
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-021-00626-3 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2015Antibodies and passive antibody therapy in the treatment of infectious diseases is the story of a treatment concept which dates back more than 120 years, to the 1890s,... (Review)
Review
Antibodies and passive antibody therapy in the treatment of infectious diseases is the story of a treatment concept which dates back more than 120 years, to the 1890s, when the use of serum from immunized animals provided the first effective treatment options against infections with Clostridium tetani and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. However, after the discovery of penicillin by Fleming in 1928, and the subsequent introduction of the much cheaper and safer antibiotics in the 1930s, serum therapy was largely abandoned. However, the broad and general use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has resulted in the development of multi-resistant strains of bacteria with limited to no response to existing treatments and the need for alternative treatment options. The combined specificity and flexibility of antibody-based treatments makes them very valuable tools for designing specific antibody treatments to infectious agents. These attributes have already caused a revolution in new antibody-based treatments in oncology and inflammatory diseases, with many approved products. However, only one monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, for the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus, is approved for infectious diseases. The high cost of monoclonal antibody therapies, the need for parallel development of diagnostics, and the relatively small markets are major barriers for their development in the presence of cheap antibiotics. It is time to take a new and revised look into the future to find appropriate niches in infectious diseases where new antibody-based treatments or combinations with existing antibiotics, could prove their value and serve as stepping stones for broader acceptance of the potential for and value of these treatments.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Communicable Diseases; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Immunization, Passive
PubMed: 26104697
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.AID-0026-2014 -
The Lancet. Neurology Sep 2008Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia in elderly people and is becoming an ever greater problem as societies worldwide age. Treatments that stop or at least... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia in elderly people and is becoming an ever greater problem as societies worldwide age. Treatments that stop or at least effectively modify disease course do not yet exist. In Alzheimer's disease, the conversion of the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) from a physiological water-soluble monomeric form into neurotoxic oligomeric and fibrillar forms rich in stable beta-sheet conformations is an important event. The most toxic forms of Abeta are thought to be oligomers, and dimers might be the smallest neurotoxic species. Numerous immunological approaches that prevent the conversion of the normal precursor protein into pathological forms or that accelerate clearance are in development. More than ten new approaches to active and passive immunotherapy are under investigation in clinical trials with the aim of producing safe methods for immunological therapy and prevention. A delicate balance between immunological clearance of an endogenous protein with acquired toxic properties and the induction of an autoimmune reaction must be found.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Alzheimer Vaccines; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Brain; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Immunologic Factors; Immunotherapy, Active; Mice; Plaque, Amyloid; Protein Conformation
PubMed: 18667360
DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70170-4 -
Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the... Apr 2019First attempts to use exogenous mRNA for protein expression in vivo were made more than 25 years ago. However, widespread appreciation of in vitro transcribed mRNA as... (Review)
Review
First attempts to use exogenous mRNA for protein expression in vivo were made more than 25 years ago. However, widespread appreciation of in vitro transcribed mRNA as a powerful technology for supplying therapeutic proteins to the body has evolved only during the past few years. Various approaches to turning mRNA into a potent therapeutic have been developed. All of them share utilization of specifically designed, rather than endogenous, sequences and thorough purification protocols. Apart from this, there are two fundamental philosophies, one promoting the use of chemically modified nucleotides, the other advocating restriction to unmodified building blocks. Meanwhile, both strategies have received broad support by successful mRNA-based protein treatments in animal models. For such in vivo use, specifically optimized mRNA had to be combined with potent formulations to enable efficient in vivo delivery. The present review analyzes the applicability of mRNA technology to antibody therapy in all main fields: antitoxins, infectious diseases, and oncology.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Communicable Diseases; Drug Compounding; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Lipids; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; RNA, Messenger; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 30885573
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.03.002 -
MBio Feb 2017A century ago, Emil von Behring passed away. He was the first to be honored by the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1901 for the successful therapy of diphtheria and tetanus,...
A century ago, Emil von Behring passed away. He was the first to be honored by the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1901 for the successful therapy of diphtheria and tetanus, which he had developed from the bench to the bed. He also contributed to the foundation of immunology, since his therapy was based on passive immunization with specific antisera. Being an ambitious character, he did not shy away from friction with his colleagues Paul Ehrlich and Elias Metchnikoff and his mentor, Robert Koch. Behring was not only an excellent translational researcher but also a successful entrepreneur and early proponent of public-private partnerships.
Topics: Antibodies; Diphtheria; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Immunotherapy; Phagocytes; Tetanus
PubMed: 28246359
DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00117-17 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Sep 2022The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies reported a thorough analysis of existing data and guidelines for the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma...
The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies reported a thorough analysis of existing data and guidelines for the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The editorialists discuss the recommendations, how they compare with recommendations from other entities, and the lessons the experience with CCP provides for the use of passive immunotherapy for future emerging infectious diseases.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Immunization, Passive; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome; COVID-19 Serotherapy
PubMed: 35969864
DOI: 10.7326/M22-2329 -
The Indian Journal of Medical ResearchConvalescent plasma (CP) therapy is one of the promising therapies being tried for COVID-19 patients. This passive immunity mode involves separating preformed antibodies... (Review)
Review
Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is one of the promising therapies being tried for COVID-19 patients. This passive immunity mode involves separating preformed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from a recently recovered COVID-19 patient and infusing it into a patient with active disease or an exposed individual for prophylaxis. Its advantages include ease of production, rapid deployment, specificity against the target infectious agent, and scalability. In the current pandemic, it has been used on a large scale across the globe and also in India. However, unequivocal proof of efficacy and effectiveness in COVID-19 is still not available. Various CP therapy parameters such as donor selection, antibody quantification, timing of use, and dosing need to be considered before its use. The current review attempts to summarize the available evidence and provide recommendations for setting up CP protocols in clinical and research settings.
Topics: Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; Humans; Immunization, Passive; India; COVID-19 Serotherapy
PubMed: 33818467
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_3092_20 -
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy Apr 2009Passive immunization strategies are under investigation as potential disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current approaches, based on data... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Passive immunization strategies are under investigation as potential disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current approaches, based on data demonstrating behavioral improvement and reduced pathology in transgenic animal models, have focused exclusively on immune targeting of beta-amyloid.
OBJECTIVE
To examine immunization strategies for AD.
METHODS
A review of relevant publications.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results from three Phase II trials suggest both the promise and the need to exercise caution with this method of immunotherapy. The strategies used were distinct, using monoclonal N-terminal, central epitope, and polyclonal antibodies to maximize the efficacy and safety of each approach. The tested compounds are moving into Phase III trials for mild to moderate AD. We await the discoveries that from these studies that may yield the first disease-modifying therapy for AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Immunization, Passive
PubMed: 19344284
DOI: 10.1517/14712590902828285