Table 2.
Anti-antibodies main drugs to date in use and mechanism of action
Steps | Cells or mechanisms involved | Drugs | Mechanism of action |
Exposure to antigen | B Cells | Rituximab ivig | Binds CD20 on B cells and mediates cell lysis Multiple B cell apoptosis, decrease in B-cell proliferation |
Secretion of alloantibodies | Plasma cells; antibodies | Bortezomib | Decrease donor-specific alloantibody production Mechanical removal of alloantibodies |
Plasma- exchange ivig | Multiple B cell apoptosis, decrease in B-cell proliferation | ||
Binding of antibodies to the graft | Complement activation | Eculizumab | Blocks cleavage of terminal complement C5 and halts the process of complement-mediated cell destruction |