Atacicept is mainly used to treat autoimmune diseases. For example, to cure rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. However, some aspects of effect and side effect are still unclear.
What is atacicept?
Atacicept is mainly used to treat autoimmune diseases. For example, to cure rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Atacicept represents a relatively new active ingredient. It has already been shown to be helpful in the treatment of some autoimmune diseases. However, the long-term mechanism of action in particular has not yet been conclusively investigated. Thus, clinical analyses are still being conducted to weigh the benefits and risks of the remedy. Nevertheless, atacicept is already available in clinical therapy in some countries. Here, it is mainly offered in tablet form. More rarely, the whitish and fine crystalline powder can also be found in capsules. In medical studies to date, patients have been injected with a low to high dose solution of the drug into the bloodstream. The preparation is a combination of several active ingredients. It is thus intended to perform different tasks in the organism.
Pharmacological action
In chronic autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, an excessive number of B lymphocytes is mainly found in the body of the affected person. These cells are considered to be the basis for promoting certain cytokines – regulatory proteins responsible for controlling the immune response. The more of these B-lymphocytes bind the cytokines BlyS (B-lymphocyte Stimulator) and APRIL (A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand), the more prone the patient is to certain physical ailments. Atacicept introduced into the organism docks on the surface of B lymphocytes. Here it binds the cytokines. In this way, the B lymphocytes are significantly restricted in their growth, lifespan and effect on the immune system. The disturbed functionality of the body’s own defenses can return to normal thanks to such therapy. On average, a treatment period of three to four months is targeted for the first fundamental improvement of the symptoms. Another advantage is that atacicept can be fully effective even if the patient has previously been immunosensitized against diphtheria and tetanus. Following further studies, the drug should therefore soon be generally available.
Medical application and use
The mechanism of action has been convincing in clinical trials with a variety of useful effects. For example, the main use is for diseases primarily arising from an unstable immune system. Improvements have been recorded in rheumatoid arthritis as well as in multiple sclerosis. In addition, there has been a positive effect on various clinical pictures. These include joint pain, especially in rheumatoid patients. Swelling of the joints in the fingers, arms and legs has also been alleviated by the use of atacicept. People suffering from largely incurable rheumatism noted an average 20 percent improvement in their well-being. In addition, the preparation can bind other antibodies, peptides, monocytes or lymphocytes and render them harmless. Each of them has a negative influence on the organism, leading to disease, if it is present in a certain amount. However, whether atacicept is recommended as a therapeutic agent for this purpose in the long term must be proven by the studies that are still ongoing.
Risks and side effects
Many established drugs used to cure autoimmune diseases are prone to sometimes serious side effects. These include such things as dizzy spells, coughing, and even pneumonia in a few cases. The test phases of atacicept so far did not suggest such a limitation. Even in combination with other preparations, the active ingredient can perform its tasks. It is also important to note that no limitations in efficacy were observed in the patients in the clinical trials, even during long-term use. The immune system does not appear to develop any antibodies against atacicept – although further investigations are still required to obtain a conclusive result.However, there are indications that the remedy represents a new option for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, triggering no or at least fewer undesirable side effects compared with agents from the same genus.
