Actively induced immunotherapy is one of the most promising fields in cancer research and numerous approaches are being studied to design effective cancer vaccines. Among the treatment strategies to develop an effective immune response against tumor associated antigens is the use of anti idiotype (Ab2) mAb as antigen surrogates. Several studies in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of these vaccines for triggering the immune system to induce specific and protective immunity against tumors of different origin. In fact, anti-idiotypic mAbs have been used successfully in cancer therapeutics to overcome the poor immunogenicity of some tumor-associated antigens, in particular those of non-protein origin. In some clinical trials, including patients with different tumors, anti-Id specific humoral and/or cellular responses following immunization were associated with improved clinical outcome. This number of Frontiers will be dedicated to anti- idiotypic antibodies and their use in cancer treatment. Different article types will be considered: original contributions, case reports, methods, hypothesis and theory, reviews, historical, etc.

This long overdue title provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, state-of-the art review of approved biologic therapies, with coverage of mechanisms of action, Indications for therapy, immunogenicity and a detailed examination of adverse effects and safety of the many and diverse therapeutic agents presented in a total of 13 chapters. It is predicted that by 2016, biologics will make up half of the world's 20 top-selling drugs and by 2018, biologic medicine sales will account for almost half of the world's 100 biggest selling drugs. Recombinant proteins dominate the growing list of the more than 200 approved biotherapeutic agents with targeted antibodies, fusion proteins and receptors; cytokines; hormones; enzymes; proteins involved in blood-clotting, homeostasis and thrombosis; vaccines; botulinum neurotoxins; and, more recently, biosimilar preparations, comprising the majority of approved biologics. Written with clinicians, other health care professionals, and researchers in mind, Safety of Biologics Therapy examines, in a single volume, the full range of issues surrounding the safety of approved biologic therapies. A good understanding of the risks and safety issues of modern biologics therapy is increasingly being demanded of all those connected with their development, handling, prescribing, administration and subsequent patient management. In addition to being of great value to clinicians in all branches of medicine, and to nurses, pharmacists and researchers, this book will prove invaluable for students taking undergraduate and graduate courses in the above disciplines and in the biomedical sciences.

Entries in a practical A to Z Format Highly therapy-focused Uniform and clearly arranged entries for ease of reference Comprehensive information on symptoms and therapeutical possibilities of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases as well as drugs Written by leading experts in the field

Tumor immunology and immunotherapy provides a comprehensive account of cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Examining recent results, current areas of interest and the specific issues that are affecting the research and development of vaccines, this book provides insight into how these problems may be overcome as viewed by leaders in the field.

The goal of this book is to present findings which are supportive of the concept that the words of the idiotype dictionary and likewise self-recognition are essential for communication between lymphocyte clones while some unfaithful ( infidel ) copies of the words contained in the idiotype dictionary perhaps play a role in the functional regulation of nonlymphoid cells.

For the development of HER2/neu mimicking anti-idiotype antibodies (Ab2s), groups of female BALD/c mice were immunized with three sets of monoclonal antibodies (Ab1), designated 520C9, 741F8 and 454C11, directed at distinct antigenic determinants of HER2/neu. Hybridomas were generated from each treatment group and one, stable Ab2 producing hybrid each of 520C9 and 741F8 were obtained, and cloned twice by limiting dilution. The isotypes of 520C9 and 741F8 Ab2's were IgG1k by ELISA. 520C9 and 741F8 Ab2 cells were used to produce mouse ascites and the Ab2 purified by affinity chromatography and confirmed by SDS-PAGE. A competitive binding assay using Ab2, Ab1 and the human breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 (which express HER2/neu on their cell surface), showed that 50mu1 of each of 520C9 and 741F8 Ab2 containing supernatants inhibited the binding of Ab1 to SK-BR-3 cells by tilde 80%. The specificity binding study showed that the binding of 741F8 Ab2 was to those antibodies directed against HER/2neu. A competitive binding assay using 741F8 Ab2, Ab1 and SK-BR-3 cells showed that 10ng of purified 741F8 Ab2 inhibited the binding of Ab1 to SK-BR-3 cells by tilde 50%. Polyclonal anti-anti-idiotype antibodies (Ab3), were generated in rabbits using either purified 520C9 Ab2 or 741F8 Ab2. The Ab3 reacted with HER2/neu positive tumor cells suggesting the presence of anti-tumor (Ab1') antibodies.