Monoclonal Antibodies: Clinical Applications

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the clinical applications of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). It focusses on the uses of Mabs in neoplastic disease, where many in vitro and in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic applications have been developed and refined for practical use. The use of Mabs has applications in many areas of biological research, clinical medicine, and new drug delivery systems. Mabs replace conventional polyclonal antibodies, and commercial companies are introducing them in a variety of immunoassay kits. In germ cell tumors, α-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin have been shown to have clinical value. Many solid tumors that comprise up to 90% of all cancers do not have convenient markers. The advent of Mabs has greatly improved the quality of existing tests of known markers. The advent of Mabs made it possible to develop antibodies to tumors of many different histological types. Several of these Mabs to tumor markers (antigens) that have great utility as diagnostic indicators are discussed. The chapter discusses some major advances made in several areas of clinical immunology where Mabs have been shown to have tremendous utility. One principal area of interest is the field of sexually transmitted diseases. The impact on the detection of three pathogens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and herpes simplex virus, type 2 is also discussed.