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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells
Published on: June 5, 2015
Treatment of a patient with myasthenia gravis using antibodies against CD25
M Kakoulidou1, R Pirskanen-Matell, A K Lefvert
1Immunological Research Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, KarolinskaInstitutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objectives:
To measure clinical and immunological parameters in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with antibodies against CD25 (basiliximab, Simulect). Patient and methods - Injections of basiliximab were given repeatedly together with cyclosporin A and corticosteroids for 9 months to a patient with severe MG. Her muscle function score was monitored and the immunological parameters were followed using ELISA, flow cytometry and radioimmunoassay.
Results:
The patient improved moderately and corticosteroid treatment could be withdrawn. The percentage of activated CD4+ T cells decreased during treatment, while that of 'naïve' T cells increased. The serum levels of sCD28, sCD152, sCD80, sCD86 and IL-10 decreased. The treatment was stopped due to repeated infections.
Conclusion:
Treatment with basiliximab appears to be suitable only for severely ill patients who do not respond to conventional treatments. However, careful monitoring of side effects is necessary.
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