Pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia: immunological aspects and potential role of immunotherapy. (2nd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chauhan, Prerna; Kaur, Gurjit; Prasad, Rajendra; Singh, Harmanjit
• Is Part Of: Expert review of neurotherapeutics. Volume 21:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: 1441
• Page End: 1453
• Publication Date: 2021-12-02
• Subjects: Autoimmune -- biomarkers -- cytokines -- immunotherapy -- monoclonal antibodies -- schizophrenia; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.7805
• DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1994857
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7175

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Schizophrenia is a complex disorder owing to diversity in clinical phenotypes, overlapping symptoms, and heterogeneous clinical presentation. Even after decades of research, the exact causative mechanisms of schizophrenia are not completely known. Recent evidence indicates the role of immune dysfunction in schizophrenia pathogenesis as observed from alteration in immune cells, increased activity of complement cascade, and development of autoantibodies against neurotransmitter receptors. Immunotherapy involving immunosuppressants and cytokine-targeting drugs, have shown promising results in several clinical studies and it demands further research in this area. Areas covered: Here, the authors review the immunopathogenesis of schizophrenia, limitations of conventional, and atypical antipsychotic drugs and the potential role and limitations of immunotherapeutic drugs in schizophrenia management. Expert opinion: Schizophrenia is a complex disorder and poses a challenge to the currently available treatment approaches. Nearly 30% schizophrenia patients exhibit minimal response toward conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs. Immune system dysfunction plays an important part of schizophrenia pathophysiology and existing monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs targeting specific components of the immune system are being repositioned in schizophrenia. The authors call upon public and private funders to facilitate urgent and rigorous research efforts in exploring potential role of immunotherapy in schizophrenia.