title: Anti-CD 40 monoclonal antibody.
abstract: Normal, bi-directional interactions between CD 40 and its natural ligand CD 154 (CD 40 ligand) are central to the generation of both T cell-dependent, humoral immune responses and cytotoxic T-cell responses. CD 40 is expressed on a broad range of hematological and epithelial malignancies. The development of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD 40 allows effective targeting of malignant cells through multiple mechanisms that include the recruitment of immune effector mechanisms such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, direct anti-proliferative effects on neoplastic cells and, importantly, by the activation of tumor-targeted cellular cytotoxicity. This review provides the background to the early clinical trial data that are now beginning to emerge for this potentially exciting new treatment approach.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Oncology Unit, Cancer Sciences Division, School of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Geldart
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Illidge
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008024:Ligands; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D008024:Ligands; D023201:CD40 Ligand