The use of monoclonal antibodies in autoimmunity treatment

Recently, monoclonal antibodies (MA) have gained popularity as therapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. These antibodies target proinflammatory cytokines, as well as T and B cells potentially involved in the pathogenesis of such conditions. In the present work we attempt to give a systematic description of available therapeutic MA, highlight their key mechanisms of action and pinpoint their adverse effects. We believe that MA that are capable of recognizing and eliminating pathogenic T-and B-cell clones hold the most promise for medical application as biologics. Detection and identification of autoreactive lymphocyte clones is one of the most serious challenges of contemporary medicine.