Studies in pre-clinical models have shown great potential for the use of specialized antibodies capable of targeting only specific signals that regulate the behavior of immune cells.
Unlike the current drugs used to prevent rejection, which suppress the entire immune system, these new monoclonal antibodies are only aimed at the activated or “alerted” immune cells that have recognized the transplant as foreign and are about to launch an attack.
The DRI is testing newly developed antibodies to evaluate their ability to identify and block selected immune rejection signals at the earliest stage.