Side-effects of monoclonal antibody infusions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

This literature review presents an inventory of the nature and incidence of side-effects that arise from the clinical application of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Most side-effects occurred during therapy. Toxic reactions, such as fever, sweating and chills, were more common than immunological skin reactions; they were observed predominantly in association with the elimination of circulating target cells. Dosage and rate of administration of the MoAb appeared to have little influence on the reactions, which disappeared quickly and did not necessitate discontinuation of treatment. Serum sickness, anaphylactic reactions and bronchospasms were not common; the patients reacted quickly to the indicated therapy. Prevention of the side-effects described here, especially during diagnostic applications, was such that they need not form a barrier to the clinical use of MoAb.