[Antibodies: better knowledge for a better use].
The therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies is growing exponentially. Our knowledge on antibody structure, in particular that of IgG1, largely used in the clinic, has progressed remarkably. However, some formidable challenges still remain to be confronted, among which the increase of a yet-limited antibody efficacy, the lowering of the frequency of serious clinical adverse events, and the establishment of pre-clinical models that can be reliably extrapolated to humans represent major goals. The selection of relevant target antigens with regard to the pathology to be treated and to the expected effects of the antibody used is also a critical parameter. Facing these challenges, the amazing molecular plasticity of antibodies, as well as new antibody engineering approaches based on the most recent insights on the structure and biology of antibodies and their targets represent areas of research that will make monoclonal antibodies remarkable drugs for human health in a near future.
Abès
Riad
R
Laboratoire français du fractionnement et des biotechnologies, Les Ulis, France. Inserm U872, Paris, F-75006 France.
Dutertre
Charles-Antoine
CA
Teillaud
Jean-Luc
JL
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015202:Protein Engineering; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments