Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of cancer: preliminary observations and future prospects.

The need for improved specificity in cancer therapy is apparent. With the advent of monoclonal antibodies, the possibility of specifically targeted therapy is here. Early trials with monoclonal antibody in experimental animals and in man have demonstrated antibody can travel to specific tumor sites and localize on or around the tumor cells displaying antigens to which the antibody is directed. This evidence of specific targeting, along with early evidence of therapeutic efficacy for monoclonal antibodies and antibody immunoconjugates with drugs, toxins and isotopes, is encouraging. Some preliminary clinical observations from two monoclonal antibody trials are presented and the current status of clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies is reviewed.