Expert opinion on biological therapy
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Expert Opin Biol Ther · Aug 2002
ReviewDrotrecogin alfa: a new approach in the treatment of severe sepsis.
Severe sepsis is a common and frequently fatal condition. Evidence showing a link between the coagulation system and the inflammatory response to sepsis led to the development of drotrecogin alfa (activated) as an agent in the treatment of sepsis. ⋯ Although associated with an increased risk of bleeding, this is usually procedure-related rather than spontaneous. Although costly, this is a drug that effectively reduces mortality rates in patients with severe sepsis.
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Expert Opin Biol Ther · Aug 2002
ReviewCancer-testis antigens: promising targets for antigen directed antineoplastic immunotherapy.
During the last decade, the aberrant expression of normal testicular proteins in neoplastically transformed cells became common knowledge. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) represent a novel family of immunogenic proteins. The genes MAGE, BAGE, GAGE, LAGE and NY-ESO-1 code for antigens that are recognised on various neoplastically transformed cells by autologous, cytolytic CD8 ( + ) T lymphocytes. ⋯ The identification of neoplasm-associated markers recognised by cellular or humoral effectors of the immune system has opened new perspectives for antigen directed, individualised antineoplastic immunotherapy. In preparation for this new era of targeted immunotherapy, a number of neoplasm-associated antigen families have been identified as targets for CD8+, cytolytic T lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo : (1) CTAs expressed in various neoplasms and in normal testis, restricted to male germ cells; (2) melanocyte differentiation antigens; (3) point mutations of normal genes; (4) antigens overexpressed in neoplastic tissues; and (5) viral antigens. Immunotherapeutic protocols directed against the CTAs have already been initiated to analyse the induction of antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo.