Antigens and autoantibodies

Antigens and autoantibodies refers to a broad category of immunological molecules rather than a single therapeutic target. Antigens are substances, typically proteins or polysaccharides, that are recognized by the immune system and can trigger an immune response (National Cancer Institute, 2024). Autoantibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target and react with the body's own tissues, serving as key mediators in autoimmune diseases (Elkon & Casali, 2008). In clinical pharmacology, specific antigens (such as CD20 or HER2) are targeted by monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer or inflammatory conditions. Conversely, autoantibodies are often the focus of therapies designed to reduce their circulating levels, such as B-cell depletion or Fc receptor blockade (StatPearls, 2023). Because this term encompasses a vast array of distinct molecular entities with diverse structures and functions, it is classified as a functional category in immunology and diagnostics rather than a specific drug target (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Therapeutic interventions in this space are highly specific to the individual antigen or autoantibody involved in a particular disease state (PubMed, 2022). Monitoring these molecules through diagnostic assays is essential for the management of autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Other names

Self-antigensAutoantigensImmunogensEndogenous antigens

Therapeutic strategies involve the use of monoclonal antibodies to target specific disease-associated antigens or the use of B-cell depleting agents and plasmapheresis to reduce the titer of pathogenic autoantibodies.