Therapeutic Monitoring of Immunotherapies in Autoimmune Diseases

Nicolas      von Ahsen; Andrew      Chan

Abstract

Immunosuppressive treatment still is an important element in the management of autoimmune mediated diseases. However, immunosuppressive therapy is often complicated by a narrow therapeutic index and high variability of treatment response. This review discusses the clinical management and monitoring strategies for the use of ciclosporin A, tacrolimus, azathioprine, mycophenolat mofetil, mitoxantrone and some monoclonal antibodies with focus on natalizumab.

Keywords: Neuroimmunology, therapeutic drug monitoring, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, ciclosporin A, azathioprine, mycophenolat mofetil, immunosuppressive therapy, tacrolimus, monoclonal antibodies.