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Australian Prescriber Vol. 26 No. 6 2003
Cancer antibodies
Cancers are sometimes treated with powerful medicines called cytotoxics. These drugs kill the cancer cells, but also damage normal cells. This damage can cause severe side effects.
To reduce side effects, new treatments are needed which will kill the cancer cells but not damage normal cells. One approach is to make antibodies against the cancer cells. These antibodies attack the cancer cells in the same way the body fights infections.
Trastuzumab is an antibody against certain types of breast cancer cells. It is not suitable for all women with breast cancer.
Rituximab is an antibody which works against some cancers that produce too many white blood cells.
These cancer antibodies are only suitable for a small number of patients. Although the antibodies cause less harm than cytotoxics they still have side effects. They also need to be given through an intravenous drip.
