Monoclonal antibody therapy for cancer

Abstract

Since the approval of rituximab (Rituxan®) for the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) in 1997, nine additional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved by the FDA for cancer therapy. Currently, more than 1,300 clinical studies registered at ClinicalTrials.gov investigate mAb therapy of cancer, including more than 150 phase III clinical trials. In concert with their clinical acceptance, mAbs in oncology have become commercially attractive. Four out of the ten approved mAbs have reached blockbuster status with annual sales exceeding $1 billion. The top three selling cancer drugs are all mAbs. These numbers indicate the potential of mAbs to play a leading role in cancer therapy for decades to come. Although mAbs provide a proven drug platform beyond the proof-of-concept stage, future success will depend on broadening and potentiating mAb therapy through antigen discovery, antibody engineering, use of mAbs in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and personalized medicine.