Blanco

Therapeutic Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
Estupiñan D., Figueroa N., Infante A., Ordoñez N.
University of Los Andes
April, 2012 Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Abstract:
A monoclonal antibody is aprotein artificially produced by a single clone of B cells and it only recognizes an specific epithope. In 1977Kohler and Milstein found a mechanism to produce antibodies, and thereby it was possible toproduce homogeneous cultures of mAb for a specific antigen.Nowdays, the therapeutic fields of mAb is very wide and it offers very positive outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer, organtransplant, cardiac failure, infections and so on.
Monoclonal antibodies perform their therapeutic action in a very selective way, which implies that they they run specific tasks within tumoral cells,molecules implied in the disease course and the immunotherapy can be targetted to damaged cells instead of other functional cells and healthy tissues.Their therapeutic performance is due to theirnatural properties as effector elements of the immune response, in which the activation of other cells is included, as well as effects originated within the target cell.The mecanisms of action of mAb arevery diverse, they include the blockage of molecules, depletion of cells, act as inductors of signaling and so forth. The blockage of moleculas like citokines or growth factors is developed by thespecific union of the antibody to this molecules or their receptors in the surface of the cell.Monoclonal antibodies can also be used as transporters of drugs, toxins, enzimes, or radiactive atoms inorder to direct this molecules to damaged cells and tissues and abate the risk of toxicity in the treatment.

References:

- Clark, M. (2000). Antibody Humanization for Therapeutic Applications.Lecture : Function of antibodies
- Gema Ruiz, M. M. (2007). ANTICUERPOS MONOCLONALES TERAPEUTICOS. Spainfo, S.A.

- HonghuiZhou(1Centocor Research&Development) and Mary Ann Mascelli(2Centocor...