Antibody treatment of toxin poisoning--recent advances

Abstract

The major responses to the administration of specific antibody or toxin-specific fragment are described. Toxin sequestration depends on the extent and rate of antibody distribution, the antibody affinity and its ability to form a non-active immune complex. Toxin redistribution is mainly influenced by the reversible binding and efflux kinetics of the toxin from the receptor. Finally, toxin elimination adopts the antibody elimination properties for low molecular weight compounds. These three basic mechanisms of the immuno-detoxification process could be optimized by designing the ideal antibody, in terms of size and origin, to inactivate the toxic properties. Calculation of the amount of infused antibody should be derived from the slope of the dose-effect curve rather than stoichiometrically.