Immunotherapeutic approaches with monoclonal antibodies to immunological diseases

The molecular events triggered by the interaction of the immune system with an antigen and leading to an immune response have been characterized in recent years. This information has provided the background to develop immunotherapeutic approaches to allograft rejection and to autoimmune diseases utilizing monoclonal antibodies to molecules which play a role in the immune response. The clinical trials performed thus far are described. The significance of the results obtained in these trials and the future potential developments are discussed.