Ixekizumab, secukinumab, and brodalumab are FDA-approved for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Ixekizumab and secukinumab bind the IL-17 cytokine and block it from binding to its receptor, while brodalumab blocks IL-17 by binding to the IL-17 receptor itself.
Reslizumab binds and neutralizes the biological activity of IL-5, thereby suppressing the production and survival of eosinophils. It is approved for adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Mepolizumab also binds to IL-5 and selectively inhibits eosinophilic inflammation in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.
Siltuximab is a Mab that binds to and blocks IL-6 from binding to its cellular receptor. It is approved for the treatment of patients with multicentric Castleman’s disease who are HIV-negative and HHV-8-negative.
Tocilizumab is recombinant humanized IgG1 that binds to soluble and membrane-associated IL-6 receptors. It inhibits IL-6-mediated signaling on lymphocytes, suppressing inflammatory processes. Similar to anti-TNF-α Mabs, patients receiving tocilizumab should be closely monitored for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and other invasive bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Basiliximab is a chimeric mouse-human IgG1 that binds to CD25, the IL-2 receptor α chain on activated lymphocytes. Daclizumab is a humanized IgG1 that also binds to the α subunit of the IL-2 receptor. Both agents function as IL-2 antagonists, blocking IL-2 from binding to activated lymphocytes, and are therefore immunosuppressive. They are indicated for prophylaxis of acute organ rejection in renal transplant patients, and either drug may be used as part of an immunosuppressive regimen that also includes glucocorticoids and cyclosporine.
Belimumab is a Mab that inhibits B cell activating factor, also known as B lymphocyte stimulator, preventing B cells from being stimulated. It is approved for treatment of adults with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are also receiving standard therapy.
Canakinumab is a human IgG kappa chain monoclonal antibody that prevents IL-1β from binding to its receptor. It is approved for cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) in adults and children 4 years old and older. CAPS includes familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years old or older. These diseases are caused by mutations in a gene (NLRP-3) that encodes cryopyrin, an important component of the inflammasome. NLRP-3 mutations cause excessive