Using monoclonal therapy to treat cancer is not a new practice. In 1975, two scientists named Kohler and Milstein, developed hybridoma technology. At first, the use of this technology for treating cancer was frustrating and useless. Finally, in 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first monoclonal antibody called rituximab and soon after another drug called trastuzumab was approved in 1998. Lymphoma is the most common cancer in the United States and kills approximately 25,000 people per year.
Breast cancer is another common cancer.
The two drugs, rituximab and trastuzumab, are used to treat these two cancers. Scientists hope to easily and inexpensively mass-produce these antibodies to treat cancer, stop the spread of infectious disease, act as mere contraceptives, and also stop tooth decay. The first monoclonal antibodies were synthesized in mice. Several research companies have genetically engineered cows and goats to secrete antibodies into their milk. Even though it is less expensive to produce the antibodies this way, many are concerned about the existing bacteria and viruses in the milk and are concerned about how they are going to separate the antibodies from them.