Are mimotope vaccines a good alternative to monoclonal antibodies?

Immunotherapy. 2019 Jun;11(9):795-800. doi: 10.2217/imt-2018-0213. Epub 2019 May 16.

Abstract

Utilizing immunotherapy as a potential therapeutic approach to boost the body's immune system for the fight against various diseases such as cancers, autoimmune diseases and also infections, is increasing day by day. Monoclonal antibodies, as effective therapeutic agents are used in cancer targeted therapies. However, these biologics have some disadvantages such as high costs and side effects. Therefore, emerging alternative immunotherapy strategies with high efficiency and low costs seems necessary. Mimotope vaccines, as epitope-mimicking structures, have shown to be effective therapeutic options, but are they really a good alternative to monoclonal antibodies, or are they just effective adjuvants?

Keywords: immune system; immunotherapy; mimotope vaccine; monoclonal antibody; vaccines.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • Biomimetic Materials / therapeutic use*
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects
  • Immune System / immunology
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Vaccination / methods

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Epitopes