Tag: Monoclonal antibodies

Despite advances in medicine, about 10-15% of kidney transplant recipients experience at least one episode of acute rejection [1.2.4, 1.7.1]. So, what is the infusion for transplant rejection? These are powerful intravenous drugs designed to suppress the body's immune attack on the new organ.

Over 6 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's disease, a condition characterized by sticky beta-amyloid plaques that clump together in the brain. Thanks to recent advancements in pharmacology, monoclonal antibody therapies have been developed to target and remove these toxic deposits. This raises the critical question: what dissolves plaque in the brain, and how do these new medications function?

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but serious brain infection caused by the reactivation of the John Cunningham (JC) virus [1.10.2]. This article explores a critical question for many patients: **what drugs increase the risk of PML?**

Although fewer than 2% of Americans use them, biologic drugs accounted for nearly half of U.S. prescription drug spending as of 2023 [1.2.1, 1.2.5]. So, **what does it mean if a provider wants to start me on biologics?** It signifies a shift to a powerful, targeted therapy.

Over the past several decades, monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies have fundamentally transformed the landscape of medical treatment, particularly within oncology. A common use of monoclonal antibodies in medicine is as a highly targeted therapy for certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases by precisely targeting specific molecules.

More than 160 monoclonal antibodies and related therapeutics were approved by the FDA as of mid-2024, a number that continues to grow rapidly. This reflects the increasing role of these highly specific biologic drugs in modern medicine, with the answer to the question, 'How many FDA approved monoclonal antibodies are there?' constantly evolving as new treatments reach the market.

Between 2021 and 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked Emergency Use Authorizations for several specific COVID-19 treatments. While this led to public questions asking why were monoclonal antibodies banned, the reality is more nuanced, involving a complex interplay of viral evolution, therapeutic effectiveness, and evolving safety data.

The first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody (mAb) for therapeutic use, muromonab-CD3, was approved in 1986 for preventing organ transplant rejection, marking a new era of targeted medicine. Since this historic milestone, a diverse and growing range of FDA approved monoclonal antibody therapies has revolutionized treatment paradigms across various diseases.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, millions of Americans are affected by Alzheimer's, and recent breakthroughs have led to the approval of several new therapies aimed at the underlying pathology. This article explores *what anti-amyloid drugs are FDA approved*, detailing their mechanism of action, key clinical data, and safety profiles for treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a cornerstone of modern medicine, with dozens of approved therapies available to treat a wide array of conditions, from autoimmune diseases to various cancers. At a functional level, these specialized, lab-made proteins are most often categorized into three main groups, which helps clarify what are the three monoclonal antibodies in a therapeutic context.