[Considerations on the therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies]

The availability of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) decisively improved and extended the analytical and diagnostic possibilities both in science and in clinical medicine. Monoclonal antibodies are also important tools for the isolation and purification of biologically active components. However, the therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies require manifold clarification. In this manuscript an attempt is made to present a short survey of the current stage of development in the therapeutic applications of MoAb and to discuss the foreseeable future in this research area. Possible fields of application, such as selective cell manipulation, drug targeting, detoxification by neutralization and/or immune clearance, specific antibody substitution are summarized and the negative and positive results so far achieved are discussed. Ex vivo therapy with monoclonal antibodies, which has already been used in a number of hospitals, is dealt with in detail. Problems already encountered, as well as anticipated in the course of the therapeutic implementation of monoclonal antibodies are discussed.