A perspective of monoclonal antibodies: past, present, and future.
In 1975, the development of the technique to produce monoclonal antibodies revolutionized the approach to cancer detection and therapy. Hundreds of monoclonal antibodies to the epitopes of tumor cells have been produced, providing more specific tools for probing the cellular elements of cancer. At the same time, these tools have disclosed greater complexity in the character of these cells and stimulated further investigation. Although there are antibodies to specific epitopes of neoplastic cells, this purity has not provided the improved detection and therapy of cancer first expected. Technical manipulations have provided limited improvement in results, but more sophisticated techniques, such as biologic response modifiers, may be required to attain clinical results that can be universally applied. The intense research in monoclonal antibodies and their application does offer promise that the goal of improved cancer detection and therapy will be forthcoming.
DeLand
F H
FH
Health Science Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13210.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000939:Epitopes