ANTIIDIOTYPIC MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY CANCER VACCINES

Anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (MAb) can mimic both protein and non-protein in antigenic epitopes. In animal models, and now in patien ts, it is possible to induce immune responses against tumor antigens u sing anti-idiotypic MAb vaccines. While it is not clear how the effica cy of anti-idiotypic MAb vaccines compares with the efficacy of vaccin es constructed from antigen, there are two situations where anti-idiot ypic vaccines have potential advantages: (1) when the antigen is not r eadily available in sufficient quantities or purity, and (2) when the antigen is a non-protein. Clinical trials are underway using anti-idio typic MAb vaccines in both of these situations.