Therapeutic Antibodies, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1995

Several aspects of clinical medicine are poised on the edge of a new era with the introduction of therapeutic antibodies. This revolution has been made possible by major advances in immune technology, which are now beginning to mature into clinical practice. This volume is aimed at all clinicians involved with this form of treatment, especially accident and emergency physicians, clinical immunologists, and pharmacologists. It covers both the basic technology, and also all the main clinical areas of application: septic shock, auto-immune disease, and cancer. The future of therapeutic antibodies is also discussed, including exciting new developments in "catalytic antibodies". This is the first occasion on which all these topics have been brought together in a single volume, thus making it an important reference source for physicians and researchers in this fast-moving area.

1 An Introduction to the Clinical Applications of Antibodies.- History.- Types and Sources of Antibodies.- Diagnostic Applications.- Therapeutic Applications.- Potential Side-Effects.- Anticipated Developments and Conclusions.- References.- 2 Biology of the Immune Response.- Innate Immune System.- Adaptive Immunity.- A Typical Immune Response.- Immunoglobulin Structure and Function.- References.- 3 Antibody Production in the Hen.- Summary.- Background.- Comparison of Avian and Mammalian Antibody Production.- Uses of Avian Antibodies.- Alternatives to Avian Antibodies for Therapy.- References.- 4 Catalytic Antibodies.- Catalysis via Transition-State Complementarity.- Antibody-Catalysed Hydrolysis of Labile Esters.- Hydrolysis of More-Stable Compounds.- Catalysis via Other Strategies.- Catalysis of Other Types of Reaction.- Polyclonal Catalytic Antibodies.- Developing Therapeutic Catalytic Antibodies.- Conclusion.- References.- 5 Immunotherapy for Drug Toxicity.- Digoxin.- Colchicine.- Tricyclic Antidepressants.- References.- 6 Therapeutic Antibodies to Snake Venoms.- History.- Standard Methods of Antivenom Production.- Different Types of Available Antivenoms.- Antivenom Reactions.- Methods of Antivenom Potency Assessment.- Recent Developments in Antivenom Production.- Conclusions.- References.- 7 Therapeutic Antibodies to Tumours.- Cell Surface Targets for Antibody Therapy.- Biodistribution of Antibodies.- Therapeutic Strategies.- Limitations of Antibody Therapy.- Conclusions.- References.- 8 Therapeutic Antibodies to Microorganisms.- Antibody Preparations Available for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Infections.- Applications of IM IgG Preparations for Prophylaxis of Viral Infection.- Applications of IVIG Therapy.- Use of IVIG Preparations for Prevention and Treatment of Specific Infection.- Conclusion.- References.- 9 Immunological Therapy of Endotoxaemia: Anti-endotoxin Antibodies.- The Role of Endotoxin in Sepsis.- Endotoxin: Relationship of Structure to Function.- Approaches to Endotoxin Antagonism.- Mechanism of Anti-endotoxin Antibody Action.- The Use of Anti-core Antibodies.- Impact of Anti-core Antibody Class and Titre on Efficacy.- Prospective Studies of Human Polyclonal Core Antiserum.- Studies with Anti-core/ Lipid A Monoclonal Antibodies.- Impact of Anti-endotoxins on Cytokine Generation in Human Sepsis.- Advantages and Limitations of Anti-endotoxin Antibodies.- Summary.- References.- 10 Cytokine Antibodies and Antagonists in the Treatment of Sepsis.- Toxin Initiation of Sepsis.- Properties of TNF, IL-1, IL-6 and their Receptors.- Cytokine Interactions in Inflammation.- Evidence that Cytokines are Involved in Sepsis.- Therapeutic Strategies.- Summary.- References.