Monoclonal Antibodies Hypersensitivity: Prevalence and Management

Abstract

The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has become broader because of their recognized effectiveness in the treatment of autoimmune, neoplastic, and inflammatory diseases. Consequently, hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) secondary to mAbs are being reported more often, and each mAb-related HSR presents specific features. This article discusses the main biological agents and associated HSR, the clinical presentation of such reactions, and the role of tryptase and skin testing in the diagnosis. Rapid drug desensitization procedures to mAbs enable selected allergic patients to receive full therapeutic doses in a safe manner and are also discussed.

Keywords: Biological agents; Drug allergy; Immunoglobulin E; Monoclonal antibodies; Rapid drug desensitization; Skin test; Tryptase.