Complement in therapy and disease: Regulating the complement system with antibody-based therapeutics

Mol Immunol. 2015 Oct;67(2 Pt A):117-30. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.01.028. Epub 2015 Feb 17.

Abstract

Complement is recognized as a key player in a wide range of normal as well as disease-related immune, developmental and homeostatic processes. Knowledge of complement components, structures, interactions, and cross-talk with other biological systems continues to grow and this leads to novel treatments for cancer, infectious, autoimmune- or age-related diseases as well as for preventing transplantation rejection. Antibodies are superbly suited to be developed into therapeutics with appropriate complement stimulatory or inhibitory activity. Here we review the design, development and future of antibody-based drugs that enhance or dampen the complement system.

Keywords: Antibody; Antibody engineering; Cancer; Complement; Immunology; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Antibodies / therapeutic use
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
  • Complement Activation / drug effects
  • Complement Activation / immunology*
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / immunology*
  • Complement Inactivating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Models, Immunological
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Complement Inactivating Agents
  • Complement System Proteins