Monoclonal antibodies to Rh D--development and uses

Monoclonal anti-D has proved impossible to make in rodent systems. Human monoclonal anti-D has been produced using EBV transformed peripheral B cells, coupled with fusions to myeloma cell lines. More recently molecular biology techniques have been used to produce monoclonal anti-D. The range of monoclonal anti-D produced is considered. The selection of monoclonal anti-D for use as blood grouping reagents for typing donors and recipients is reviewed--all types of D positive should be typed as positive when donors are considered. However, DVI patients should be typed as D negative. Considerations for the development of monoclonal anti-D for prophylactic use are reviewed.