Itolizumab to Tocilizumab, monoclonal antibody therapies
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10Pointer
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Science & Technology
- Published
20th May, 2021
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India faces shortages of the two monoclonal antibody therapies the Itolizumab and Tocilizumab.
Context
India faces shortages of the two monoclonal antibody therapies the Itolizumab and Tocilizumab.
About the monoclonal antibodies therapy
- In 1900s, the Nobel-prize winning German immunologist Paul Ehrlich proposed the idea of a ‘Zauberkugel‘ (magic bullet). It is a compound which selectively targets the pathogen.
- Muromonab-CD3 was the world’s first monoclonal antibody to be approved for clinical use in humans.
- Muromonab-CD3is an immunosuppressant drug that is given to reduce acute rejection in patients with organ transplants.
- Monoclonal antibodies are created in the lab by exposing white blood cells to a particular antigen.
- In the case of Covid-19, monoclonal antibodies are produced by using the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that facilitates the entry of the virus into the host cell.
- To increase the quantity of antibodies produced, a single white blood cell is cloned, which in turn is used to create identical copies of the antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies
- The immune system is able to create antibodies which are tiny Y-shaped proteins in our blood.
- They recognise microbial enemies and bind to them and signals the immune system to launch an attack on the pathogen.
- Monoclonal antibodies are artificially created antibodies which aim to aid the body’s natural immune system.
- They target a specific antigen which is a protein from the pathogen that induces immune response.
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Various monoclonal antibody therapies developed worldwide
Itolizumab
- It was developed by Bengaluru-based biopharma company Biocon.
- The Drugs Controller General of India had authorised it for “restricted emergency use” in the country in June 2020.
- Itolizumab targets CD6, a protein found in the outer membrane of a T-cell.
- T-cellis a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the body’s immune response.
- Itolizumab, by binding to CD6, tones down T-cell activation and causesreduction in synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Tocilizumab
- This monoclonal antibody has got approved from the FDA to treat rheumatologic disorders.
- This antibody also inhibits IL-6 activity, and was proposed as a potential therapy for severe Covid.
- The drug is currently approved for off-label usein India, which means it can be used after informed consent of patients.
Bamlanivimab and etesevimab
- The US FDA authorisedthe emergency use of the combination bamlanivimab and etesevimab.
- Both the antibodies target the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Casirivimab and imdevimab
- US-based biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals developed a drug REGN-COV2.
- The drug REGN-COV2 is a cocktail of two antibodies, casirivimab and imdevimab.
- The drug is meant for use in mild-to-moderate Covid-19 patients who are not on oxygen support, but who may be at risk of severe disease.
Levilimab
- The Russian biotechnology company BIOCAD developed the antibody levilimab (Ilsira). to
- It received approvalby the country’s Ministry of Health for Covid-19 treatment on 5 June last year.
- The antibody targets IL-6, a molecule that causes cytokine storm-related complications in severe Covid.
