[Systemic and neurological uses of immunosuppressive agents]

Rev Med Suisse. 2013 May 1;9(384):915-21.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Involvement of the central or peripheral nervous system, frequently present in systemic inflammatory immune disorders, has to be considered a severe threat and requires aggressive immunosuppressive treatment to achieve rapid remission. This is usually obtained with high-dose systemic corticosteroids combined with cyclophosphamide. Once remission is obtained, immunosuppressive agents with a more favorable safety profile are needed to exert a corticosteroid-sparing effect and minimize adverse events. New therapeutic approaches are currently developed to treat autoimmune diseases, mostly linked to the definition of new indications for biological agents such as TNF-alpha antagonists and rituximab.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha