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 |  | | |  | "Tool" antibody |
| | | In the fifties Yalow & Berson discovered the principle of radioimmunology by using insulin radioactively labelled with iodine 131, a discovery which gained the 1977 Nobel prize for medecine. The immunoassay became a recognised method and antibodies used outside the living organism would be revealed as a tool of considerable importance. | | | The "assay" antibody: the popularity of the immunoassay was first of all directly linked to the increasing use of radioactive-labelled molecules. Currently, many assays using radioisotopes have been developed, as well as radioimmunological assay kits for molecules of biological interest as different as peptides, proteins, steroids or synthetic molecules such as drugs. However, regulations for protection against radio-activity restrict the number of users. As a result of this disadvantage, enzyme markers have replaced radioactive tracers, and enzyme-immunoassay has become an accepted method. The number of users has increased accordingly and, at the same time, the filed of application has widened and now covers biological diagnosis (cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, infections diseases, cancer, allergies, AIDS research, etc..), pollution control and therapeutic drug monitoring or drug analysis in development studies. | | | The tagging antibody: the use of short-life radio-elements allows the progress of a drug to be monitored in real time, for example, when labelled with a radioactive isotope and administered to human being or animals. The path of this molecule and its eventual fixation in the body is recorded by gamma or positron cameras. A tagging antibody is therefore available which, carried to the blood, it will be able to recognise the specific antigen and bind with it. Research is now being undertaken to use this process in radiotherapy, by localised binding of radioactive elements able to destroy cancer cells or, in clinical practice, by replacement of the radioelements by toxin which is activated only on contact with target tissue. | | | The "image" antibody or anti-idiotypic antibody is designed according to the boxed diagram. Initially, antibodies are produced against the active part of the substance, e.g. a hormone. From these antibodies, an attempt is made to obtain anti-antibodies which are called anti-idiotypicl antibodies. This new generation of antibodies mimics the biological action of the hormone. Although no drug has yet been produced as a result of this technology, it allows specific probes for cellular receptors to be obtained. Promising results allow one to hope that vaccines of the future could be produced with the help of this technology. | | | The "removal" antibody: cellular hybridisation techniques now allow production of pure antibodies in unlimited quantities. When immobilised on a solid support such as plastic microsphers, these antibodies allow the extraction of a large quantity of antigen. Tests in relation to the removal of a cancerous cells from bone marrow extracted is placed in contact on the surface of the cancerous cells, and injected into the patient. | | | The "catalytic" antibody: is the latest line of research. Abzymes may be used, in particular, as biological or chemical reaction catalysts for which there are no natural enzymes. | | | Contact us for further information if one of the subjects discussed by SPI-BIO Communication interests you. | | | | Back to Scientific Section Page | |
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