Chimeric CD7 monoclonal antibody therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. |
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| Authors: | B W Kirkham F Thien B K Pelton C Pitzalis P Amlot A M Denman G S Panayi |
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| Affiliation: | Rheumatology Unit, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, UK. |
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| Abstract: | Murine monoclonal antibody (Mab) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produces an antimouse immunoglobulin response by the recipient. We studied a chimeric (human/mouse) CD7 Mab, in a dose ranging tolerability study in 10 patients with RA. Modest improvements in disease activity occurred with frequent acute adverse effects of malaise, fever and nausea. After treatment, peripheral blood T lymphocyte numbers fell by 50% and CD7 expression fell by 97% for less than 7 days. Our study demonstrates chimeric Mab function in vivo and illustrates the influence of antibody isotype and patient characteristics on adverse effects. |
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