IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in 
the elderly, and there is no disease-modifying therapy yet available. 
Immunotherapy directed against the beta-amyloid peptide may be capable of 
slowing the rate of disease progression. Bapineuzumab, an anti-beta-amyloid 
monoclonal antibody, will be the first such agent to emerge from Phase III 
clinical trials.
AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The primary literature on bapineuzumab from 2009 
and 2010 is reviewed in its entirety, along with the literature on AN1792, a 
first-generation anti-beta-amyloid vaccine, from 2003 to 2009. Other Alzheimer's 
disease immunotherapeutics currently in development, according to 
www.clinicaltrials.gov , are also discussed.
WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: In addition to a critical appraisal of the Phase II 
trial results for bapineuzumab, this review considers the broader field of 
immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease as a whole, including the challenges 
ahead.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Bapineuzumab appears capable of reducing the cerebral 
beta-amyloid peptide burden in patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, 
particularly in APOE 4 carriers, its ability to slow disease progression remains 
uncertain, and vasogenic edema - a dose-limiting and potentially severe adverse 
reaction - may limit its clinical applicability.