Antiviral Monoclonal Antibodies: Can They Be More Than Simple Neutralizing Agents?

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are increasingly being considered as agents to fight severe viral diseases. So far, they have essentially been selected and used on the basis of their virus-neutralizing activity and/or cell-killing activity to blunt viral propagation via direct mechanisms. There is, however, accumulating evidence that they can also induce long-lasting protective antiviral immunity by recruiting the endogenous immune system of infected individuals during the period of immunotherapy. Exploiting this property may revolutionize antiviral mAb-based immunotherapies, with benefits for both patients and healthcare systems.

TrendsAntiviral monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are promising, high-added-value biotherapeutics. During recent years, the number of antiviral mAbs developed against both acute and chronic viruses has grown exponentially, some of them being currently tested in clinical trials.Antiviral mAbs can be used to blunt viral propagation through direct effects. They can also engage the host's immune system, leading to the induction of long-lasting protective vaccine-like effects.The assessment of mechanisms at play in the induction of vaccine-like effects by antiviral mAbs will help in improving antiviral treatments.Exploiting this effect will translate into therapeutic benefit for patients. The benefit will also help healthcare systems through the reduction of treatment costs.