Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato and Dr. Bering discovered that the serum obtained from an animal infected with diphtheria was effective in the treatment of diphtheria and tetanus; they established serum therapy. (*1-1,*1-2)
1959
Gerald Edelman and Rodney Porter determined the molecular structure of antibodies. (*2-1,*2-2)
1975
César Milstein, Georges Köhler and Niels Kaj Jerne established the hybridoma technology, which is a technology for producing monoclonal antibodies. (*3)
1976
Dr. Susumu Tonegawa discovered the genetic principle for the generation of antibody diversity. (*4)
1986
The world's first therapeutic antibody "muromonab" was approved. (*5)
1990s
Antibody engineering technologies were established. (*6)
2005
Japan’s first therapeutic antibody "tocilizumab" was approved. (*7)
As of2022
More than 100 therapeutic antibodies have been approved in Japan, Europe, and the United States. (*8)
Typical examples of pathogens are viruses and bacteria. On the surface of a pathogen, there are antigens to be recognized by antibodies.
Antigen
Antigens are used as targets enabling antibodies to recognize and bind to. In illnesses called autoimmune diseases, substances causing an immune response with making up one's own body recognized as antigens . Furthermore, antigens that cause an abnormally vigorous allergic reaction are called allergens.
B cell
A type of cell that plays a role in the adaptive immune system which assumes a central role in humoral immunity to produce and release antibodies against specific antigens.
T cell
A type of cell that plays a role in the adaptive immune system which receives antigen information from antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells via T cell antigen receptors expressed on the cell surface and exerts various functions. There are two main types of T-cells: helper T-cells and killer T-cells.
NK cell (Natural Killer Cell)
A type of cell that plays a role in the innate immune system. They primarily serve to protect the body by attacking cancer cells and cells infected with viruses.
Neutrophil
A type of cell that plays a role in the innate immune system which serves to prevent infections by engulfing and degrading the pathogens that have invaded the body.
Macrophage
A type of cell that plays the role in the innate immune system. They process pathogens (viruses, bacteria, etc.) that have entered the body and dead cells by preying upon and digesting them. Furthermore, they serve a role of notifying other cells of the antigens on the surface of the pathogens being preyed upon (antigen-presenting capacity).
Complement
When an antibody combines with an antigen, this becomes active to complement the action of the antibody and indicate the promotion of predation and lysis through phagocytes by macrophages, etc.
Dendritic cell
A type of cell that plays a role in the innate immune system which has a function of activating T cells by presenting fragments of pathogen as antigens on its own cell surface.
Serum
The pale yellow liquid that rises to the surface when blood solidifies is serum. The substance obtained after removing the cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) from blood is called plasma, and serum is obtained by further removing fibrinogen and clotting factor.
Molecular weight
Molecules are composed of atoms, and the molecular weight is to sum of the atomic weight of atoms making up the molecule. For example, a water molecule (H2O) is composed of two hydrogen (H: atomic weight 1) atoms and one oxygen (O: atomic weight 16) atom, giving a molecular weight of 18.
Chemical synthesis
Using a compound and a reagent as raw material to cause a reaction to create the intended compound.
Column chromatography
One of the purification methods separates a target by utilizing the difference in affinity and size. A column is a container used for the purification process and varies in size depending on the production scale.
Culture
Culture refers to the process of growing cells. This is performed in an environment where CO2 concentration and temperature are appropriate.
Modality
Refers to the classification of drug discovery technologies (methodologies and means) for realizing therapeutic concepts.
Formulation
The form of a drug. Typical examples include tablets (medicine), ointment (topical cream), adhesive skin patches (plasters), injections, and eye drops.
