Targeting Amyloid Fibrils by Passive Immunotherapy in Systemic Amyloidosis. 2022

Mario Nuvolone, and Alice Nevone, and Giampaolo Merlini
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

Systemic amyloidoses are characterized by the unrelenting deposition of autologous proteins as highly ordered fibrils in target organs. The ensuing, potentially fatal organ dysfunction is the result of the combined damage caused by the proteotoxic effect of prefibrillar species and by the cytotoxicity and the structural alterations produced by the amyloid fibrils. Current therapy is focused on eliminating the amyloid protein, thus extinguishing the amyloid cascade at its origin. While this approach may end the cell damage caused by prefibrillar aggregates and prevent further amyloid accumulation, the noxious effects of the amyloid fibrils persist and may hamper the recovery of organ function, which is the ultimate goal of therapy as it is necessary to improve the quality of life and extend survival. Preclinical studies indicate that the clearance of amyloid deposits can be accelerated by specific antibodies targeting amyloid fibrils that activate complement-mediated macrophages and giant cell phagocytosis, possibly promoting the recovery of organ function. Measuring the therapeutic effect of anti-amyloid agents is still a matter of research. In recent years, several monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid deposits have been tested in clinical trials with mixed outcomes. Recent encouraging results from phase I/II trials, new anti-amyloid agents, and new antibody engineering offer hope that effective amyloid removal will be accomplished in the near future, accelerating organ recovery and improving quality of life and survival.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007116 Immunization, Passive Transfer of immunity from immunized to non-immune host by administration of serum antibodies, or transplantation of lymphocytes (ADOPTIVE TRANSFER). Convalescent Plasma Therapy,Immunoglobulin Therapy,Immunotherapy, Passive,Normal Serum Globulin Therapy,Passive Antibody Transfer,Passive Transfer of Immunity,Serotherapy,Passive Immunotherapy,Therapy, Immunoglobulin,Antibody Transfer, Passive,Passive Immunization,Therapy, Convalescent Plasma,Transfer, Passive Antibody
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000682 Amyloid A fibrous protein complex that consists of proteins folded into a specific cross beta-pleated sheet structure. This fibrillar structure has been found as an alternative folding pattern for a variety of functional proteins. Deposits of amyloid in the form of AMYLOID PLAQUES are associated with a variety of degenerative diseases. The amyloid structure has also been found in a number of functional proteins that are unrelated to disease. Amyloid Fibril,Amyloid Fibrils,Amyloid Substance,Fibril, Amyloid,Fibrils, Amyloid,Substance, Amyloid
D000686 Amyloidosis A group of sporadic, familial and/or inherited, degenerative, and infectious disease processes, linked by the common theme of abnormal protein folding and deposition of AMYLOID. As the amyloid deposits enlarge they displace normal tissue structures, causing disruption of function. Various signs and symptoms depend on the location and size of the deposits. Amyloidoses
D000911 Antibodies, Monoclonal Antibodies produced by a single clone of cells. Monoclonal Antibodies,Monoclonal Antibody,Antibody, Monoclonal
D058225 Plaque, Amyloid Accumulations of extracellularly deposited AMYLOID FIBRILS within tissues. Amyloid Deposits,Plaques, Amyloid,Amyloid Plaques,Neuritic Plaques,Senile Plaques,Amyloid Deposit,Amyloid Plaque,Deposit, Amyloid,Deposits, Amyloid,Neuritic Plaque,Plaque, Neuritic,Plaque, Senile,Plaques, Neuritic,Plaques, Senile,Senile Plaque
D058227 Amyloidogenic Proteins Proteins that form the core of amyloid fibrils. For example, the core of amyloid A is formed from amyloid A protein, also known as serum amyloid A protein or SAA protein. Amyloid Protein,Amyloidogenic Protein,Amyloid Proteins,Protein, Amyloid,Protein, Amyloidogenic,Proteins, Amyloid,Proteins, Amyloidogenic

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