ANTIBODY TREATMENT OF TOXIN POISONING - RECENT ADVANCES

The major responses to the administration of specific antibody or toxi n-specific fragment are described. Toxin sequestration depends on the extent and rate of antibody distribution, the antibody affinity and it s ability to form a non-active immune complex. Toxin redistribution is mainly influenced by the reversible binding and efflux kinetics of th e toxin from the receptor. Finally, toxin elimination adopts the antib ody elimination properties for low molecular weight compounds. These t hree basic mechanisms of the immuno-detoxification process could be op timized by designing the ideal antibody, in terms of size and origin, to inactivate the toxic properties. Calculation of the amount of infus ed antibody should be derived from the slope of the dose-effect curve rather than stoichiometrically.