Carlumab
Human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of inflammatory diseases
Carlumab is a human monoclonal antibody that was developed for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. It specifically targets and binds to the chemokine known as CCL2 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2), also referred to as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). This chemokine plays a significant role in the recruitment of monocytes, memory T cells, and dendritic cells to sites of inflammation.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Carlumab functions by inhibiting the activity of CCL2. By binding to CCL2, carlumab prevents this chemokine from interacting with its receptor, CCR2 (C-C chemokine receptor type 2), on the surface of target cells. This blockade reduces the migration of inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation, thereby potentially reducing the inflammatory response.
Development and Clinical Trials[edit | edit source]
Carlumab was developed by Centocor, a biotechnology company that focuses on the development of monoclonal antibodies. The drug underwent several phases of clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and cancer.
Rheumatoid Arthritis[edit | edit source]
In clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis, carlumab was tested for its ability to reduce the symptoms of this chronic inflammatory disorder. However, the results did not demonstrate significant efficacy compared to existing treatments, leading to a discontinuation of its development for this indication.
Asthma[edit | edit source]
Carlumab was also evaluated in patients with asthma, particularly those with severe, uncontrolled asthma. The trials aimed to assess whether blocking CCL2 could reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function. Despite initial hopes, the outcomes did not show a substantial benefit over standard therapies.
Cancer[edit | edit source]
The role of CCL2 in tumor progression and metastasis prompted investigations into carlumab as a potential anticancer therapy. The hypothesis was that by inhibiting CCL2, carlumab could reduce the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages, which are known to support tumor growth and spread. However, clinical trials did not yield promising results, and development for cancer treatment was not pursued further.
Challenges and Discontinuation[edit | edit source]
Despite the theoretical benefits of targeting CCL2, carlumab faced several challenges in clinical development. The redundancy and complexity of the chemokine network in humans meant that blocking a single chemokine like CCL2 did not produce the expected therapeutic effects. Additionally, the body’s ability to compensate for the blockade by upregulating other chemokines or pathways limited the efficacy of carlumab.
As a result of these challenges, the development of carlumab was eventually discontinued, and it is not currently available as a treatment option.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD