A sample of the most exciting developments in the cloning, manipulation, expression and application of genetically-engineered monoclonal antibodies. This rapidly-evolving field has witnessed the PCR combinatorial cloning of vast immunological diversity, in vitro mutagenesis of MAbs, MAbs created by transgenic animals, novel expression systems in plants, animals and lower systems, as well as a rich variety of genetically modified MAbs as potential therapeutic agents. Leading scientists from academia and industry present their own findings as well as short reviews of these research areas.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are currently the major class of protein bio therapeutic being developed by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Monoclonal Antibodies discusses the challenges and issues revolving around development of a monoclonal antibody produced by recombinant DNA technology into a therapeutic agent.This book covers downstream processing which includes design of processes to manufacture the formulation, formulation design, fill and finish into closure systems and routes of administration. The characterization of the final drug product is covered where the use of biophysical methods combined with genetic engineering is used to understand the solution properties of the formulation. The latter has become very important since many indications such as arthritis and asthma require the development of formulations for subcutaneous delivery (SC). The development of formulations for IV delivery is also important and comes with a different set of challenges. The challenges and strategies that can overcome these limitations are discussed in this book, starting with an introduction to these issues, followed by chapters detailing strategies to deal with them. Subsequent chapters explore the processing and storage of mAbs, development of delivery device technologies and conclude with a chapter on the future of mAbs in therapeutic remedies. - Discusses the challenges to develop MAbs for intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous delivery (SC) - Presents strategies to meet the challenges in development of MAbs for SC and IV administration - Discusses the use of biophysical analytical tools coupled with MAb engineering to understand what governs MAb properties at high concentration

Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Volume 85, the newest volume in the Advances in Pharmacology series, presents a variety of chapters from the best authors in the field. Chapters in this new release include Cell death mechanisms in DILI, Mitochondria in DILI, Primary hepatocytes and their cultures for the testing of drug-induced liver injury, MetaHeps an alternate approach to identify IDILI, Autophagy and DILI, Biomarkers and DILI, Regeneration and DILI, Drug-induced liver injury in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Mechanisms of Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury, the Evaluation and Treatment of Acetaminophen Toxicity, and much more. - Includes the authority and expertise of leading contributors in pharmacology - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Pharmacology series

The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) petitioned the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on April 23, 1997, to prohibit the use of animals in the production of mAb. On September 18, 1997, NIH declined to prohibit the use of mice in mAb production, stating that "the ascites method of mAb production is scientifically appropriate for some research projects and cannot be replaced." On March 26, 1998, AAVS submitted a second petition, stating that "NIH failed to provide valid scientific reasons for not supporting a proposed ban." The office of the NIH director asked the National Research Council to conduct a study of methods of producing mAb. In response to that request, the Research Council appointed the Committee on Methods of Producing Monoclonal Antibodies, to act on behalf of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the Commission on Life Sciences, to conduct the study. The 11 expert members of the committee had extensive experience in biomedical research, laboratory animal medicine, animal welfare, pain research, and patient advocacy (Appendix B). The committee was asked to determine whether there was a scientific necessity for the mouse ascites method; if so, whether the method caused pain or distress; and, if so, what could be done to minimize the pain or distress. The committee was also asked to comment on available in vitro methods; to suggest what acceptable scientific rationale, if any, there was for using the mouse ascites method; and to identify regulatory requirements for the continued use of the mouse ascites method. The committee held an open data-gathering meeting during which its members summarized data bearing on those questions. A 1-day workshop (Appendix A) was attended by 34 participants, 14 of whom made formal presentations. A second meeting was held to finalize the report. The present report was written on the basis of information in the literature and information presented at the meeting and the workshop.

This essential work, edited by two researchers at London’s famous Queen Mary’s medical school targets one of the most important areas in medical development today. These days, antibody therapeutics are the treatment of choice for several autoimmune and oncological conditions. They are, indeed, becoming the molecules of choice for further combination therapies and cell engineering. In this timely work, a slew of expert in the field of drug development summarize all the current developments and clinical successes.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are naturally occurring complex biomolecules. New engineering methods have turned mAbs into a leading therapeutic modality for addressing immunotherapeutic challenges and led to the rise of mAbs as the dominant class of protein therapeutics. mAbs have already demonstrated a great potential in developing safe and reliable treatments for complex diseases and creating more affordable healthcare alternatives. Developing mAbs into well-characterized antibody therapeutics that meet regulatory expectations, however, is extremely challenging. Obstacles to overcome include the determination and development of physiochemical characteristics such as aggregation, fragmentation, charge variants, identity, carbohydrate structure, and higher-order structure (HOS). This book dives deep into mAbs structure and the array of physiochemical testing and characterization methods that need to be developed and validated to establish a mAb as a therapeutic molecule. The main focus of this book is on physiochemical aspects, including the importance of establishing quality attributes such as glycosylation, primary sequence, purity, and HOS and elucidating the structure of new antibody formats by mass spectrometry. Each of the aforementioned quality attributes has been discussed in detail; this will help scientists in researching and developing biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars to find practical solutions to physicochemical testing and characterization. - Describes the spectrum of analytical tests and characterization methods necessary for developing and releasing mAb batches - Details antibody heterogeneity in terms of size, charge, and carbohydrate content - Gives special focus to the structural analysis of mAbs, including mass spectrometry analysis - Presents the basic structure of mAbs with clarity and rigor - Addresses regulatory guidelines - including ICH Q6B - in relation to quality attributes - Lays out characterization and development case studies including biosimilars and new antibody formats

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.