Placental transport mechanism could guide safer biologic medicines during pregnancy

AI Summary

Research into placental transport mechanisms aims to guide safer use of biologic medicines during pregnancy. This is critical as therapeutic IgG antibodies cross the placenta, posing challenges for the treatment of diseases in women of reproductive age.

Biologic medicines have transformed the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, migraine, inflammatory disorders and many other conditions. Yet their growing use among women of reproductive age constitutes a major clinical challenge because therapeutic IgG antibodies are actively transported across the placenta to the developing fetus. Evidence supporting the safe use of such therapeutics during pregnancy remains limited.