[Overview of recent monoclonal antibody therapy]

It has been 27 years since Milstein and Köhler stunned the world of biology by announcing the discovery of monoclonal antibodies. Novel MoAb improved forms of chimeric and humanized antibodies with high antigen-binding affinities are currently being developed by both genetic and chemical methods. The rapid growth of molecular techniques will permit the development of novel antibodies, which should significantly improve conventional therapeutic strategies. This report overviews recent advances in the field of monoclonal antibodies and provides insight regarding the promises and limitations of this novel therapeutic approach.