Immunotherapies for Neurologic Diseases: Volume 214

The evolution of neuroimmunotherapies with the concurrent progress in autoimmune neurology will introduce the book, followed by an update on "non-targeted" therapies highlighting the value of immunosuppressants, plasmapheresis, IVIg or hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation and their mode of action in autoimmune neurology. The new agents in each of these categories, along with biomarkers for therapeutic monitoring and the application of reliable scales in assessing response, will be covered. Chapters will discuss how neuroimmunotherapies work when key molecules and pathways associated with CNS or PNS tissue damage are targeted or inhibited. The volume will describe the approved agents targeting: 1) T-cell intracellular signaling pathways and molecules associated with antigen presentation; 2) B cells, B-cell trophic factors, and autoantibodies; 3) Fc receptor modulation; 4) complement; and 5) cytokines, cell adhesion and transmigration molecules. Didactic schemes and illustrations on how these drugs work in autoimmune neurological diseases will be provided in each chapter.

The second part of the book will discuss the latest therapeutics for each major autoimmune neurological disease, aimed to provide a reliable, comprehensive and up-to-date source of information useful for clinical practice and education. Didactic and practical algorithms, a step-by step approach on how best to apply the most suitable therapies for a given state of the disease or proceed to escalation therapies will be provided.

Treatment controversies and uncertainties will be authoritatively emphasized by scholars in each field. A chapter addressing potential immunotherapeutic approaches, now on the pipeline or on early trials, as future means of treating some neurodegenerative diseases will be included. Another chapter will cover the new and popular-although controversial -concept of treating autoimmune pain.

The book discusses practical therapies with traditional immunosuppressants, steroids and IVIg. It describes targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins against B cells, T cells, complement, and FcRn, discussing what happens when key factors related to neurological autoimmunity are inhibited. The book provides a "how- to- do" approach for each of the major autoimmune diseases with algorithms and escalation therapies. Dedicated chapters will cover current therapies on encephalitis, NMOSD, Multiple sclerosis, autoimmune neuropathies, myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders and neuroexcitability disorders like stiff person syndrome. The book is aimed for practitioners and academicians as a reliable and comprehensive source for applying neuroimmunotherapies and understanding their mechanisms.