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Abstract
In the years following the discovery of techniques to generate a nearly limitless supply of monoclonal antibodies, much attention has been given to their use in the therapy of malignant diseases. During this time we have developed strategies that allow for the detection and also the irradication of malignant cells, not only from haematological malignancies, but also from solid tumours utilising naive, conjugated and designer antibodies. With the arrival of genetic engineering, antibodies have been manipulated in countless ways, not only with respect to their specificity, but their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may also be altered. A firm background, developed from years of in vivo studies, is now leading the field into a bright future. In the last few years, over 20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have gained licence approval, not only in malignant indications. In this postgenomic era a multitude of technologies will allow us to rapidly identify, characterise and evaluate new targets. There is a developing market for antibody based treatment strategies, as evidenced by the revitalisation, not only of pharmaceutical developments, but also following the spectacular results of several leading therapeutic mAbs in the clinic. Within the next decade will therapeutic antibodies become a standard tool in the hands of the oncologist?