[Molecular-Targeted Therapy and Autoimmune Disease]

Recently, biological treatment agents such as antibody preparations have been widely used in clinical fields, and these agents provide benefits for many patients. They actually show effectiveness against lymphoma, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease. Accordingly, such biological treatment has altered the concept of treatment, from symptomatic therapy to maintenance of remission. However, it is a fact that there are also some patients for whom this treatment has little benefit. Antibodies for the treat- ment of rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into two groups: tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as cytokine signal blockade, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as signal blockade from CTLA-4 on the T-cell membrane. It is well- known that the action mechanism of these biological treatment agents can affect the immune system. Thus, cases with side effects, including abnormal laboratory data, must be reported for further study. Since these agents are extremely expensive, their benefit will be marked only when biomarkers for the early detection of complications and prediction of beneficial effects are developed. The aim of this symposi- um is to discuss the role of the clinical laboratory in this molecular-targeted therapy. [Review].