A summary of the workshop on passive immunization using monoclonal antibodies for HIV/AIDS, held at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, 10 March 2006.
Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has been shown to prevent a wide variety of diseases. Currently, there are no MAb products that are licensed for use for immunotherapy or immunoprophylaxis against infection by HIV. However, there are several rational arguments that can be advanced for the use of a passive immunization approaches for counteracting HIV much as for other diseases especially with respect to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and immediate post-exposure situations. Several arguments questioning the feasibility of the approach based on availability of effective drugs, high cost of production and distribution of the MAbs among others, also get raised. It seems that the field now is looking at some promising MAbs as well as several alternate ways to manufacture antibodies and which hopefully may positively affect cost-related issues. This summary of a workshop held to assess the role of MAbs in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS provides a fairly comprehensive analysis of the usefulness of MAb technology for future HIV/AIDS research.
Bansal
Geetha P
GP
Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 6700-B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. gbansal@niaid.nih.gov
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D054579:National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.); D011247:Pregnancy; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015483:HIV Antibodies