Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): The Evolving Treatment Paradigm and Pursuit of Targeted Immuno
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare, complex, and disabling autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
It is characterized by immune-mediated damage to the myelin sheath, the fatty, protective covering around nerve fibers. This damage disrupts the efficient transmission of electrical signals, leading to the hallmark symptoms of progressive or relapsing muscle weakness, impaired motor function, and sensory disturbances such as numbness and tingling in the extremities. Because the disease often affects both proximal (shoulders and hips) and distal (hands and feet) muscles, it severely impacts mobility and quality of life.
Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Challenges
The condition is considered "chronic" because symptoms develop slowly, lasting for at least eight weeks, or because it follows a relapsing-remitting course over months or years. The underlying mechanism involves a misguided immune response where activated T-cells and humoral factors (such as antibodies and…