Problems with monoclonal therapy Antibody immunogenicity remains one of the inherent therapeutic limitations associated with administration of murine monoclonals to human subjects.
In most instances, single injections of the murine monoclonal antibodies elicit an immune response in 50 to 80% of patients. Human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) are generally detected within 14 days of administration.
In practice, repeated administration of the monoclonal antibodies increases the HAMA response significantly; therefore, therapeutic efficacy of murine monoclonals is limited to the first and at most, the second dose administration.
Even though monoclonal antibodies rose in humans lessen the immunogenicity problem, most of the attempts that have been made are unsuccessful and need several attempts to make them immunized.
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Some of the rare, but more serious side effects of monoclonal antibody therapy include:
Infusion reactions usually occur while treatment or soon after and in very few cases, it may lead to death. Low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets may develop leading to serious complications.
Certain monoclonal antibodies may root cardiac problems, including heart failure and a small risk of heart attack. Serious sores can also occur on the tissue that lines cheeks and gums (mucosa). Some of the monoclonal antibody drugs designed to stop cancer, through blocking angiogenesis may cause bleeding.