Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
09:57
Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
Published on: February 14, 2011
Monoclonal Antibody-Based Anti-Cryptococcosis Therapy
Marcos William de Lima Gualque1,2, Gabriel Rezende Pimenta1,2, Daniel Gomes de Sousa1,2
1Department of Clinical Analysis, Laboratory of Mycology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil.
Monoclonal Antibodies in Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer a novel approach to treating cryptococcosis, a severe fungal infection. These engineered antibodies target fungi and enhance immune responses, addressing limitations of current antifungal drugs.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cryptococcosis is a severe invasive fungal disease with high mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients.
- Current antifungal treatments face challenges like toxicity, resistance, and relapse, necessitating new therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies for cryptococcosis.
- To explore innovative antibody engineering techniques for enhanced antifungal efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of monoclonal antibody strategies against *Cryptococcus* spp.
- Analysis of emerging antibody engineering technologies such as radioimmunotherapy, Fc engineering, nanobodies, immune checkpoint modulation, and CAR-based cellular therapies.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies show promise as immunotherapeutic agents by targeting fungal components and modulating host immunity.
- Innovations in antibody engineering offer potential to overcome limitations of current antifungal treatments.
Conclusions:
- Monoclonal antibodies are promising adjunctive therapies for cryptococcosis.
- Continued research in antibody engineering and clinical studies is crucial for integrating mAbs into future treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.