Lokivetmab, trade name Cytopoint, is a

monoclonal antibody A monoclonal antibody (mAb, more rarely called moAb) is an antibody produced from a cell Lineage made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies derived this way trace back to a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies ...

used to treat

atopic dermatitis Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin ( dermatitis). It results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which often thickens over tim ...

in dogs. It acts against

interleukin 31 Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''IL31'' gene that resides on chromosome 12. IL-31 is an inflammatory cytokine that helps trigger cell-mediated immunity against pathogens. It has also been identified as a major ...

(IL-31), which is a

cytokine Cytokines are a broad and loose category of small proteins (~5–25 kDa) important in cell signaling. Cytokines are peptides and cannot cross the lipid bilayer of cells to enter the cytoplasm. Cytokines have been shown to be involved in a ...

involved in causing itchiness (pruritus). Lokivetmab is administered by subcutaneous injection; each dose is effective for four to eight weeks. The

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...

(USDA) approved lokivetmab (manufactured by

Zoetis Zoetis Inc. (/zō-EH-tis/) is an American drug company, the world's largest producer of medicine and vaccinations for pets and livestock. The company was a subsidiary of Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, but with Pfizer's spinoff of its 83 ...

and sold under the trade name Cytopoint) in December 2016, and it was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2017. Lokivetmab was the first monoclonal antibody to be approved for use in animals in the European Union.

References

External links

* Monoclonal antibodies Dog medications {{dermatologic-drug-stub