Molecular engineering has contributed immensely to the clinical success of antibodies in
recent years. The modular structure of antibodies has permitted their modification in
numerous ways, to meet various clinical requirements. With the help of antibody
engineering, it has been possible to modify the molecular size, pharmacokinetics,
immunogenicity, binding affinity, specificity and effector function of antibodies. In addition,
fusion proteins of antibodies with various proteins and peptides have yielded targeted …

The 'magic bullet'concept predicted over a century ago that antibodies would be used to
target cancer therapy. Since then initial problems that were related to specificity, purity and
immungenicity of antibody-based reagents have slowly been overcome due to
developments in technology and increased knowledge. As a result, antibodies are in use for
many clinical applications and now comprise the second largest category of medicines in
clinical development after vaccines. For antibody-based cancer therapeutics the last 20 …