OncoBiology Monoclonal Antibodies

The role of monoclonal serotherapy in cancer management is established. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to date has approved about nine monoclonal antibodies (unmodified and modified) in the treatment of cancer.

This type acts through enhancing the recognition of the body immune system to cancer cells by binding to them like:

Rituximab (Rituxan): Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen, present on B-lymphocytes. It is used in the treatment of relapsed or refractory low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Alemtuzumab (Campath): Alemtuzumab is an antibody against the CD52 antigen, which is found on B and T lymphocytes. Alemtuzumab is used in the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

- MAbs that directly interact with specific tumor antigens that promotes tumor growth.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin): Trastuzumab is an antibody against the HER2/neu receptors. HER2/neu is overexpressed in 20- 30% of breast cancer and promotes their growth. Trastuzumab is used in the treatment of breast cancers that overexpress HER-2 receptors.

Cetuximab (Erbitux): Cetuximab is an antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is overexpressed in a number of carcinomas, including non-small-cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, and 70% of colorectal cancers. It is approved in the treatment of colorectal and head & neck cancer.

Panitumumab (Vectibix): This MAb also targets the EGFR antigen. It is used to treat some cases of advanced colorectal cancer.

Bevacizumab (Avastin): Bevacizumab targets the proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that acts as a vascular permeability factor (VPF) which promote new blood vessels to feed tumor growth. It is used along with chemotherapy to treat some colorectal, lung, and breast cancers.

For more information click here visit the web site FDA website.