NKG2A at the ACR 2012 in Washington

NKG2A / NNC141-0100 at the EULAR 2012 Link: http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2012/07/nkg2a-nnc141-0100-at-eular-2012.html  

But what is it all about? Wikipedia gives a hint: “The CD94/NKG2 complex, on the surface of natural killer cells interacts with Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-E on target cells.” The principle is to block the NKG2A HLA-E interaction on peripheral NK cells. NNC141-0100 is an Anti-NKG2A MAB, which blocks natural killer cell activation. But natural killer cells haven’t been in the focus of treatment so far. If the drug does, what it is intended to do, it doesn’t mean that it treats rheumatoid arthritis.

J. Wahle and colleagues presented an in vitro study with the title "Effect of Anti-NKG2A Antibody Treatment On NK Cell Receptor Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients" (Abstract No. 1080). In results we find: “Finally the effect was specific to RA patients as similar changes were not seen in normal donors.”

I must admit that I don’t know enough of the weight of natural killer cells in contrast to other cells in the inflammation concert of rheumatoid arthritis. I won’t rule out that this principle might be effective, but allow me some scepticism until further results are presented.