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Breaking down the complement system: a review and update on novel therapies.
Yuvaram N V Reddy1, Andrew M Siedlecki, Jean M Francis
1aDepartment of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Boston Medical Center bDepartment of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Brigham and Women Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|December 16, 2016
Summary
The complement system, a key part of innate immunity, is implicated in kidney diseases. Emerging complement-based therapies show promise for treating conditions like atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
Background:
- The complement system is a primitive innate immunity component.
- It plays a significant role in native and transplanted kidney pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the physiology of the complement cascade.
- Discuss current and upcoming complement-based therapies for kidney diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on complement system physiology.
- Analysis of current and investigational complement-based therapeutic agents.
- Examination of clinical trial data for novel therapies.
Main Results:
- Current therapies (e.g., C1 esterase inhibitors, anti-C5 mAbs) are effective for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and antibody-mediated rejection.
- Investigational agents (e.g., CCX168, factor D inhibitors) show promise.
- New trials target ANCA-associated vasculitis, C3 glomerulopathy, and IgA nephropathy.
Conclusions:
- Complement-based therapies are increasingly vital for treating kidney pathologies.
- Several novel agents are in clinical trials with promising preliminary results.
- Targeted complement inhibition offers a promising therapeutic avenue for various nephrological conditions.
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