Antibodies to human serum amyloid P component eliminate visceral amyloid deposits

Dual attack on amyloidosis Systemic amyloidosis is a serious disease caused by accumulation of amyloid fibrils in the viscera and connective tissues. Serum amyloid P (SAP) is a normal plasma protein that concentrates within the amyloid deposits. Working in a mouse model of the disease, Mark Pepys and colleagues find that a combination of a drug that depletes circulating SAP and an antibody that targets residual SAP within the deposits results in clearance of amyloid deposits. A humanized version of the anti-SAP antibody has been developed with a view to clinical evaluation of this dual approach.