ABSTRACT
The theory of monoclonal antibody production is based upon the clonal selection hypothesis of Burnet F. M. The potential of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) as therapeutic agents in humans may hinge upon the future ability to produce human-type monoclonals. Human MAbs offer a number of therapeutic advantages over murine MAbs with regard to both toxicity and effectiveness. The immunoassays generally serve two functions. First, they are employed in detecting, selecting, and quantitating the MAbs of interest. Second, with slight changes, these are the assays in which the monoclonals will be employed to carry out their ultimate purpose. The general category of assays in which monoclonals become involved is generally referred to as soluble-phase systems. The other category of immunoassays for MAbs is cellular assays. The other category of which MAbs are involved is termed biological assays. A major area in which MAbs have gained rapid prominence is immunoaffinity purification chromatography.
