How Eculizumab works

Eculizumab (Eculizumab) is a monoclonal antibody targeting complement protein C5, which prevents cleavage into C5a and C5b and the formation of the terminal complement complex C5b-9. Inhibition of this complex prevents complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, complement-mediated microangiopathy in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and immune-mediated inflammation and central nervous system damage in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Eculizumab has a long duration of action. Patients taking this drug should receive Neisseria meningitis vaccine because severe meningococcal infections have occurred in the past.