Immunotherapies for Neurologic Diseases: Volume 214

The evolution of neuroimmunotherapies with the concurrent progress in autoimmune neurology will introduce the book, followed by an update on "non-targeted" therapies highlighting the value of immunosuppressants, plasmapheresis, IVIg or hematopoietic bone marrow transplantation and their mode of action in autoimmune neurology. The new agents in each of these categories, along with biomarkers for therapeutic monitoring and the application of reliable scales in assessing response, will be covered. Chapters will discuss how neuroimmunotherapies work when key molecules and pathways associated with CNS or PNS tissue damage are targeted or inhibited. The volume will describe the approved agents targeting: 1) T-cell intracellular signaling pathways and molecules associated with antigen presentation; 2) B cells, B-cell trophic factors, and autoantibodies; 3) Fc receptor modulation; 4) complement; and 5) cytokines, cell adhesion and transmigration molecules. Didactic schemes and illustrations on how these drugs work in autoimmune neurological diseases will be provided in each chapter.

The second part of the book will discuss the latest therapeutics for each major autoimmune neurological disease, aimed to provide a reliable, comprehensive and up-to-date source of information useful for clinical practice and education. Didactic and practical algorithms, a step-by step approach on how best to apply the most suitable therapies for a given state of the disease or proceed to escalation therapies will be provided.

Treatment controversies and uncertainties will be authoritatively emphasized by scholars in each field. A chapter addressing potential immunotherapeutic approaches, now on the pipeline or on early trials, as future means of treating some neurodegenerative diseases will be included. Another chapter will cover the new and popular-although controversial -concept of treating autoimmune pain.

The book discusses practical therapies with¿traditional immunosuppressants, steroids and IVIg. It describes targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins against B cells , T cells, complement, and FcRn, discussing what happens when key factors related to neurological autoimmunity are inhibited. The book provides a "how- to- do" approach for each of the major autoimmune diseases with algorithms and escalation therapies. Dedicated chapters will cover current therapies on encephalitis, NMOSD, Multiple sclerosis , autoimmune neuropathies, myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders and neuroexcitability disorders like stiff person syndrome. The book is aimed for practitioners and academicians as a reliable and comprehensive source for applying neuroimmunotherapies and understanding their mechanisms.

List of contents

1. Introduction to Neuroimmunotherapies: An impressive progress towards targeted effective biologics

Section 1. Special Invited Chapters: Evolution of Autoimmune Neurology
2. Autoimmune encephalitis, Autoimmune dementias and Autoimmune psychotic disorders
3. The History of Paraneoplastic Neurologic Disorders of the CNS, PNS, and Autonomic Nervous Systems: Perspective on the Past Towards a Brighter Future

Section 2. Basic principles of immune activation in neurological diseases as related to targeted immunotherapies
4. Role of B cells and pathogenic autoantibodies in autoimmune CNS and PNS Neurologic diseases
5. Role of complement in neurological autoimmunities: why need to target complement activation for effective immunotherapy
6. Paraneoplastic autoimmune neurological disorders and role of immune checkpoint inhibitors

Section 3. Immunotherapeutic agents in Autoimmune Neurological Diseases: Current and evolving biologics
7. The evolution and current status of anti-B cell therapies in autoimmune Neurologic diseases
8. Evolving targeted biologics against T cells, cytokines and intracellular immune targets for multiple sclerosis with implications in other autoimmune neurological diseases
9. FcRn inhibitors: a new era in neurotherapeutics
10. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) use in Neurology
11. HSCT for Multiple sclerosis: Improving understanding and addressing misconceptions
12. Autonomic nervous system autoimmunity and proposed immunotherapies

Section 4.¿ Immunotherapies for specific Neurological Diseases (how do I do it): A step-by step approach based on evidence-based indications with a view to the future
13. Immunotherapies on Autoimmune Encephalitis
14. Immunotherapies in Relapsing-remitting Multiple sclerosis
15. Immunotherapies in progressive Multiple sclerosis
16. Disease Modifying Therapy in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis
17. Immunotherapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD)
18. Immunotherapies in Autoimmune Movement Disorders and Cerebellar Ataxia
19. Immunobiology and Immunotherapies in Stiff-person syndrome and GAD antibody-spectrum disorders: Present and future therapeutic prospects
20. Immunotherapies on Guillain-Barre syndrome and other Acute Autoimmune neuropathies
21. Immunotherapies in CIDP and other Chronic Autoimmune Neuropathies
22. Immunotherapy considerations for distal sensory-predominant and small fiber peripheral neuropathies
23. Immunotherapies in Autoimmune neuromuscular Junction disorders: Acute and Chronic management
24. Immunotherapies in Autoimmune Inflammatory Myopathies: Rationale and therapeutic updates
25. The Future Unfolded: CAR T Cells and the Transformation of Treatment Algorithms in Autoimmune Neurology

About the author

Dr. Marinos Dalakas is Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neuromuscular Division at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He is Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory in the Department of Pathophysiology at the University of Athens Medical School in Athens, where he has been Emeritus Professor since 2016. Dr. Dalakas is an appointed member in various scientific societies and is a member of the American Neurological Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the European Neurological Society, and the International Society of Greek Neuroscientists, among other professional organizations.

Dr. Dalakas has published widely. His areas of research are broad and include neuroimmunology, neurovirology, genetics, and immunotherapies in neurologic diseases. He has focused on neuropathies, myopathies, dystrophies, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and various autoimmune neurological disorders, with the application and design of new treatments.

He completed a 3-year fellowship training in neuromuscular diseases at the Medical Neurology Branch of the NINCDS in Bethesda, Maryland and an additional 5-year training in Neuroimmunology/Neurovirology at NINDS. He subsequently served as Chief of the Neuromuscular Diseases Section of the NINDS, NIH, a position he held for 20 years before joining Thomas Jefferson University.

Product details

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 02.01.2026
• EAN: 9780323908870
• ISBN: 978-0-323-90887-0
• Series: Handbook of Clinical Neurology
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Miscellaneous; Medical research, METABOLISM, Endocrinology, MEDICAL / Neurology, MEDICAL / Research, PSYCHOLOGY / Neuropsychology, Neurology & clinical neurophysiology, Neurosciences, Neurology and clinical neurophysiology