Frontiers of monoclonal antibodies: Applications in medical practices

With the flourishing of innovation in drug discovery into a new era of personalized therapy, the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the treatment of various ailments lies at the forefront. Major improvements in genetic sequencing and biomedical techniques as well as research into mAbs emphasize on determining new targets for advanced therapy while maximizing efficacy for clinical application. However, a balance has to be achieved concerning developing a target with low toxicity combined with high specificity and versatility, to allow a specific antibody to facilitate several biotic effects, ranging from neutralization of virus mechanisms to modulation of immune response and maintaining low global economic cost. Presently, there are approximately 30 mAbs' permitted for therapeutic use with many more being tested in clinical trials. Nevertheless, the heavy cost of mAbs' production, stowage and management as well as the subsequent hindrances to their development are outweighed by mAbs' clinical advantages. Compared to conventional drugs, since mAbs use as pharmacologic iotas have specific physical features and modes of action, they should be considered as a discrete therapeutic category. In this review, the history of mAb generation and the innovative technological applications of mAbs that has advanced in clinical practices is reviewed.