title: Monoclonal antibodies in infectious diseases: clinical pipeline in 2011.
abstract: Of the more than 20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated to combat infectious diseases (ID) that are in clinical development in 2011, most are in phase 1 or 2 and are directed against either viruses or bacterial toxins. Several high-profile anti-ID mAbs have recently failed in clinical trials. Despite the advancement in recombinant engineering technologies, anti-ID mAbs have yet to deliver on their promise as "magic bullets," especially against nosocomial infections. A paradigm shift in favor of developing mAb combinations, which act synergistically with each other or with small molecule drugs, may be required to move the field forward.
authors: Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA. jan.ter.meulen@merck.com
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Ter Meulen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents