HUMANIZED ANTIBODIES AS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC DRUGS

Background: Antibodies have been used therapeutically to treat a varie ty of clinical conditions. The introduction of monoclonal antibodies a nd more recently, engineered humanized antibodies has greatly refined and expanded the therapeutic potential of this modality of treatment. Learning Objectives: To reinforce the reader's knowledge of the therap eutic application of antibody in the treatment for different diseases. More specifically, to enhance reader's understanding of basic methods employed in the production and clinical, use of humanized antibodies. Data Source: The MEDLINE database was used to review the humanized an tibody related literature. Conclusion: Humanized antibodies provide a novel approach for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. Expande d use will depend on improvement in their efficacy (avidity and specif icity), demonstration of their safety, and reduction of their immunoge nicity.