List of monoclonal antibodies

List of Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell. Given almost any substance, it is possible to create monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to that substance; they can then serve to detect or purify it. This capability has become an important tool in biochemistry, molecular biology, and medicine.

Since the development of the first monoclonal antibodies in the 1970s, the production and application of mAbs have dramatically increased. They are now used in various areas including diagnostic tests, as therapeutic agents in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases, and in research to understand the pathophysiology of diseases.

Types of Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies can be categorized based on their source and structure. The main types include:

• Murine: These are produced entirely from mouse cells and are identified by the suffix "-omab".
• Chimeric: These antibodies are produced by combining genetic material from non-human and human sources, typically mouse and human. They contain about 30% mouse protein and 70% human protein, and their names end with "-ximab".
• Humanized: These are produced by grafting the non-human antibodies' antigen-binding sites onto a human antibody framework. This process reduces the murine content to about 10%, making them less likely to be rejected by the human immune system. Their names end with "-zumab".
• Human: These antibodies are fully human and are produced using transgenic mice or phage display libraries. They are the least likely to be rejected by the human immune system and their names end with "-umab".

Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies have a wide range of applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Some of the key applications include:

• Cancer: mAbs can be designed to target specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. They can be used alone or as part of a combination therapy. Examples include Rituximab (Rituximab) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Trastuzumab (Trastuzumab) for breast cancer.
• Autoimmune diseases: mAbs such as Adalimumab (Adalimumab) and Infliximab (Infliximab) are used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease by targeting the inflammatory processes.
• Infectious diseases: mAbs can be used to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Palivizumab (Palivizumab) is used to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in high-risk infants.
• Diagnostic tests: mAbs are used in various diagnostic tests to detect the presence of hormones, toxins, and other substances in the body. They are also used in the research to understand disease mechanisms.

List of Monoclonal Antibodies

This section provides a non-exhaustive list of monoclonal antibodies and their primary uses. For a comprehensive list, please refer to specific disease-related articles or medical databases.

• Rituximab (Rituximab): Used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Trastuzumab (Trastuzumab): Used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Adalimumab (Adalimumab): Used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease.
• Infliximab (Infliximab): Used in the treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Palivizumab (Palivizumab): Used to prevent RSV infection in high-risk infants.

Future Directions

The field of monoclonal antibodies is rapidly evolving, with ongoing research focused on improving the efficacy, reducing the side effects, and expanding the applications of mAbs. Advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology are expected to lead to the development of new mAbs with greater specificity and fewer adverse effects.