Monoclonal antibodies, antigens and molecular diagnostics: a practical overview

The development of monoclonal antibody-based immunochemical assays to measure antibodies, antigens and small molecules, such as drugs, ushered in a revolution in modern diagnostic medicine. The impact of monoclonal antibodies on diagnostic imaging technologies and therapeutic regimes was equally dramatic. Additionally, the application of immunological techniques to the biochemical research lab was partially responsible for the exponential growth in our understanding of human physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Monoclonal antibody technology is limited, however, by the manner in which antigen-antibody interactions can be controlled and by the ability to consistently produce antibodies with appropriate affinity and specificity. Recent advances in recombinant antigen preparation and antibody engineering have been used to enhance the applications of this technology. In this review, current strategies to generate and engineer monoclonal antibodies as well as their clinical applications are summarized. A brief review of molecular diagnostics and its future trend is also included.