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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment with few therapeutic options. Despite many failures in developing AD treatment during the past 20 years, significant advances have been achieved in passive immunotherapy of AD very recently. Here, we review characteristics, clinical trial data, and mechanisms of action for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting key players in AD pathogenesis, including amyloid-β (Aβ), tau and neuroinflammation modulators. We emphasized the efficacy of lecanemab and donanemab on cognition and amyloid clearance in AD patients in phase III clinical trials and discussed factors that may contribute to the efficacy and side effects of anti-Aβ mAbs. In addition, we provided important information on mAbs targeting tau or inflammatory regulators in clinical trials, and indicated that mAbs against the mid-region of tau or pathogenic tau have therapeutic potential for AD. In conclusion, passive immunotherapy targeting key players in AD pathogenesis offers a promising strategy for effective AD treatment. ● Passive immunotherapy is a major strategy under clinical development for AD treatment. ● Monoclonal antibodies against Aβ including lecanemab and donanemab showed significant efficacy in phase III clinical trials. ● ARIA and brain atrophy cannot be ignored in Aβ-targeted immunotherapy. ● Passive immunotherapy targeting tau and neuroinflammation is at an early stage of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]