Drugs Targeting B-Cells in Autoimmune Diseases, 2014
Milestones in Drug Therapy Series

This book provides a detailed overview of B-cell directed therapies in patients with rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis and cryoglobulinemia. Organ-specific autoimmune diseases are discussed with respect to the use of B-cell directed therapies in neurological autoimmune diseases and autoimmune cytopenias. Situations in which B-cell targeted therapy may be indicated are identified, thereby offering comprehensive support for therapeutic decisions on the basis of the latest published evidence. The book also offers a valuable reference tool for rheumatologists, internists, nephrologists, immunologists, and all specialists involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases.

Historic outline of the development of drugs targeting B-cells.- Understanding B-cell biology.- Pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of agents blocking B cells.- Systemic lupus erythematosus: direct B-cell blocking.- Systemic lupus erythematosus: indirect B-cell blocking.- B-cell targeted therapies in rheumatoid arthritis.- B-cell targeted therapies in Primary Sjögren Syndrome.- Targeting B cells in ANCA-associated vasculitis.- B-cell targeted therapies in systemic sclerosis and inflammatory myopathies.- B-cell targeted therapies in cryoglobulinemia.- B-cell targeted therapies in autoimmune cytopenias and thrombosis.- Targeting B cells in neurological autoimmune diseases.- Targeting B cells in other systemic autoimmune diseases.- Safety of B-cell targeted therapies.- The future potential of biosimilars targeting B-cells.