IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNE AND INFLAMMATORY RENAL DISEASES

New treatments for autoimmune renal disease are required, and a develo ping knowledge of its underlying immunopathogenesis has identified sit es where immunotherapy is likely to be effective. Experience with intr avenous immunoglobulin and lymphocyte depletion by monoclonal antibodi es in systemic vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus is awaiting confirmation by randomized trials. Treatments at or near clinical tes ting include monoclonal antibody blockade of leucocyte-endothelial int eractions and CD40 mediated B-cell activation, and immunoablation with autologous stem-cell transplantation for more severe multisystem auto immune disease. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.