No abstract

Anti-idiotype antibodies have been considered for vaccination approaches against different diseases, including cancers. Based on that, we previously described an anti-bevacizumab idiotype monoclonal antibody, 10.D7, that revealed detectable antitumor effects on a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent tumor model. Herein, we evaluated the possible applicability of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for the 10.D7 antibody in a gene immunization strategy. After checking that mammalian cells transfected to express the 10.D7 scFv are recognized by bevacizumab, it was explored the ability of our scFv construction, in a gene-based scheme, to elicit an immune response containing VEGF-binding antibodies. The results provide evidence that the designed 10.D7 scFv construct maintains the anti-bevacizumab idiotype features and has potential to activate an immune response recognizing VEGF.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) has broad applicability in research, diagnosis, and treatment. After the introduction of hybridoma technology in 1975, the mAb market has increased dramatically, moving a large industry of more than US$ 140 billions in 2020. In 1954, the concept of the 3R’s was proposed and much changed the animal use scenario, including the recent ban on inducing ascites in mice for the production of mAb. In light of this, the generation and production of antibodies had to be reassessed. In this chapter, we present an overview of the main alternative technologies to the use of animals in the generation and production of mAb. Antibody display libraries and in silico modeling are very promising technologies that may provide mAb genetic constructs that, in the sequence, may be expressed on mammalian, bacterial, yeast or plant systems. Although the total replacement of the use of animals in the entire process is not currently feasible, it is possible to find ways to reduce and refine the use of animals in obtaining and producing mAb.