Monoclonal antibody targeted to C5 complement component update

The New Haven, Conn., company published animal data on its anti-complement antibody, showing prevention of collagen-induced arthritis and interruption of progression even after established disease.

As reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, selective inhibition of cleavage of C5 into pro-inflammatory factors C5a and C5b-9 by the antibody prevented spread of disease to additional joints. Moreover, mean degree of paw swelling was reduced at day 10 in 12 residually affected limbs in mice injected biweekly with antibody compared to that in 18 limbs in control mice (p=0.001). ...