toralizumab

Toralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CD40 ligand (CD40L, also known as CD154) on T cells. It was developed as an immunosuppressive agent for the treatment of various immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases, including antibody-mediated disorders (such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis), T-cell-mediated diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and organ transplantation), and B-cell malignancies. The drug works by binding to CD40L on activated T cells and blocking its interaction with CD40 on antigen-presenting cells and endothelial cells. This blockade inhibits T cell-dependent B cell proliferation and differentiation, curtails cytotoxic CD8+ T cell maturation by interfering with required T-cell–APC interactions, reduces secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL‑1β, TNF‑α, IL‑12 from APCs/endothelial cells, and downregulates expression of MHC class II molecules and co-stimulatory ligands. Toralizumab was developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation in collaboration with Eisai Co Ltd and Seikagaku Corporation. Clinical development reached Phase II for several autoimmune indications but was discontinued due to thromboembolic complications observed in trials[1][2][3][5][8].

Other names

toralizumab