Article Abstract:
Monoclonal antibodies against bacterial toxins may be cost-effective in treating patients with gram-negative bacterial infections, provided the patient is not in septic shock. Even though these antibodies are expensive - with an estimated cost of $2,000 to $4,000 - they have been shown to increase survival, and non-survivors use more resources in intensive care units than survivors. A model based on clinical studies of monoclonal antibodies in gram-negative infections included the estimated cost of the antibodies to determine the cost-effectiveness of the treatment. Use of monoclonal antibodies was found to have a lower cost-effectiveness ratio than standard antibiotic treatment because the antibodies reduced mortality slightly. Monoclonal antibodies would be less cost-effective than antibiotics only if their cost exceeded $5,000.
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Article Abstract:
A monoclonal antibody called omalizumab may be effective in treating hay-fever and preventing asthma. This drug blocks immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is produced in excessive levels in patients with hay-fever. It may also increase the risk of developing asthma in patients with chronic hay-fever.
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Article Abstract:
Researchers are developing monoclonal antibodies that can be used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies against a specific protein, which in the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is the CD20 protein on the surface of abnormal B cells.
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