Approved monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy

Background: Monoclonal antibodies are a rapidly expanding class of agents for the treatment of cancer. In 1997 rituximab became the first approved monoclonal antibody for the treatment of low grade B cell lymphoma. Since then several monoclonal antibodies have received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Objective/methods: To review the literature using Medline and summarize the mechanisms of action, indications and outcome of treatment of currently approved monoclonal antibodies used in clinical practice for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Results/conclusions: An overview of the FDA approved monoclonal antibodies is provided. Monoclonal antibodies are currently used as the standard of care as first and second line therapy for a number of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Over the next 5 - 10 years additional monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibody conjugates will be approved by the US FDA and will dramatically affect the standard of care of many cancers.