Yasuhito Abe, M.D.

The Second Department of Surgery, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shigenobu, Ehime 791-02, Japan

Received 05/15/96; Accepted 06/12/96; On-line 07/01/96

Special preparations have been developed from the HunIg for specific treatment protocols. Anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin is quite useful prophylactically in patients who receive an organ transplant (56, 75). Cytomegalovirus infections are common in these patients, particularly, when they receive immunosuppressive agents such as FK506 and cyclosporin A. Recently, human monoclonal antibody to cytomegalovirus was developed and has been tried clinically for prophylaxis (74). In group B streptococcal infections in neonates, hyperimmune globulin is more beneficial than the HunIg (50, 51). Anti-LPS preparation has been used for reduction of risk of septic shock (76). However, since many types of LPS exist, effective neutralization of LPS is not a simple task. Special antibodies have recently been prepared, and some are being used in various clinical trials. These include monoclonal antibodies against TNF, interleukin-1, interleukin-8, and CD16 (77, 78, 79, 80). The utility of monoclonal antibody against CD20 for treatment of recurrent B-cell lymphoma has been tested (81). A bispecific antibody reactive to both tumor and immune cells has been developed and used in the treatment of malignant tumors (82). Recombinant immunoglobulins are being developed for treatment that their hyper-variable regions have been genetically altered (82). Along with Zidovudine, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody is being used in the treatment of AIDS patients (83).