ON THE NOTION OF SYNERGY OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AS DRUGS

Abstract

History of developing synergy between monoclonal antibodies, anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibodies against tyrosine-kinases receptors EGFR/ErbB-1 and HER2/ErbB-2 as well as growth factor VEGF in various combinations are considered in the article. There were proposed hypotheses about potential molecular mechanisms underlay synergy between monoclonal antibodies (for homo- and hetero combinations of antibodies appropriately specific for antigenic determinants on the same or different receptors). Future trends in researches necessary to deeper understanding causes of this phenomenon and perspectives for practical application of monoclonal antibodies acted synergistically as immunotherapeutic drugs for human tumors treatment are reviewed.

Keywords

• epidermal growth factor receptors GFR/ErbB-1 and HER2/ErbB-2
• vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• synergy
• molecular mechanisms
• tumor immunotherapy
• monoclonal antibodies