“In the future we can waive chemotherapy”.

-linked to drugs or radioactive products monoclonal antibodies will allow increase the antitumor effectiveness. These new combinations, targeting specific therapeutic targets, can be possible that in the future can be spared chemotherapy

-these antibodies have meant a revolution in the field of Hematology. probably are the most important advance in the treatment of lymphoproliferative symptoms since the 1970s

– one of the most important presences has been that of the DRA. Anita Hill, one of the main researchers of the study which has shown that patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who receive treatment with eculizumab have an index similar to that of the general population survival

Barcelona, 2011-June is possible that in the future can dispense with chemotherapy through combinations of drugs targeting specific therapeutic targets and monoclonal antibody ”said Dr. Armando López-Guillermo of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and Coordinator, along with the Dr. Francesc Bosch of the Hospital Vall d ’ Hebron, of the XXXV international day of the Catalan society of Haematology and haemotherapy in the Medical Sciences Academy i la Salut de Catalunya i Balears.

Therapeutic possibilities open with the antibody monoclonal (AcMo) are huge ”, pointed out Dr López-Guillermo, and is being carried out clinical trials to test the effects of the AcMo linked to drugs or radioactive materials which would increase the antitumor efficiency ”. However, currently only 4 or 5 AcMo are marketed and are commonly used in hospitals and only one of them, Rituximab, used in a massive way.

Monoclonal antibodies have meant a great step for the field of Hematology. These have brought a revolution in the treatment of lymphomas, which resulted in the improvement of the survival of patients. Have probably been the most important advance in the treatment of lymphoproliferative syndromes, particularly lymphomas hodgkinianos, since the advent of chemotherapy in the 1970s ”, explained Dr. López Guillermo. In fact, in the field of Hematology, has been a specific monoclonal which has achieved important results, rituximab (anti-CD20).

For what it does to the detection and treatment of leukemia, monoclonal antibodies still do not have a prominent role. In chronic lymphatic leukaemia rituximab has also proved to be an effective drug. Globally, the Dr. Guillermo López stated that have to wait and see whether the new generations of AcMo are much more active in all lymphomas ”.

Another important monoclonal antibody is eculizumab, used in the treatment of patients with PNH (paroxysmal Paroxística night), one of the so-called rare diseases affecting about 250 patients in all Spain. The DRA. Anita Hill, Hospital Universitario St. James of Leeds (England), has been commissioned to speak during the day, since it is one of the leading researchers in a study that shows that PNH patients who receive treatment with this medication orphan have a rate similar to that of the general population survival and less risk of complications. The great benefit of this monoclonal is to reduce chronic intravascular hemolysis, underlying cause of morbidity and mortality from this disease, so that it substantially improves the quality of life of patients.

Information about the Academy:

The Academy of medical sciences and the health of Catalonia and Balears is an entity founded in 1872, with legal personality recognised officially, and constitutes a forum and a meeting place of professionals in the health of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Andorra. It is an institution independently of the service of countries and not linked to any official body.

Its purpose is to promote the study and the cultivation of the Sciences of health in all its aspects: human, technical, social and civic, from all its aspects: health care, teaching and research

It is a lively scientific community, the collective effort that adapts to the needs and scientific circumstances at the time, working in collaboration with other medical, biological and pharmaceutical, domestic and foreign companies, with a constant concern of progress.

It is the most important medical Corporation of Catalonia, by the number of partners, more than 22,000. It is composed of 76 scientific societies that bring together professionals in the health sciences. Annually, the volume of scientific activities undertaken jointly is higher than 3000 acts and professionals who exceed the figure of 42,000 people.

It is present in all of Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia and Andorra through its subsidiaries, and their special characteristics, fruit of the momentum of civil society, can be considered that it is an institution unique in the world.