H. Schellekens – författare

The justification for yearbooks is greater than ever as we approach the third millennium, overwhelmed with information. This first edition of the Cytokine Yearbook summarizes the latest advances in the revolutionary field of cytokine research. The work is not a comprehensive reference work, but covers a selection of current themes. The intention is to keep paying attention to current topics in the Yearbooks to come. The editors invited a number of distinguished colleagues, who are international experts in their specific fields, resulting in a high scientific level of the contributions. This Yearbook is required reading for every scientist and physician working in the field of cytokines.

This text deals with all aspects of cytokine antibodies, from test methodology and standardization to biological consequences and functions. It encompasses antibodies induced by cytokines used therapeutically and antiviral antibodies. To understand the biology, the effects of cytokine antibodies in experimental animal models and patients are also discussed. The book is intended for researchers of cytokine biology, pharmaceutical companies developing cytokines and cytokine antibodies as therapies, and clinicians interested in modulating the immune system as therapy. It is published in the framework of the Concerted Action on the Antigenicity of recombinant DNA derived pharmaceuticals.

This book contains a selection of the papers presented at the meeting "Between Clone and Clinic" which was organised in March 1990 in Amsterdam by the dutch Organisation for Applied Research, TNO, and the University of Utrecht. The scope of this meeting was the development of biotechnological pharmaceuticals mainly made by recombinant DNA technology or monoclonal antibody techniques. All aspects concerning the development of the products after host cells producing them are obtained where discussed. The meeting was attended by twohundred specialists from all over the globe, including phar­ macologists, toxicologists, registration experts, Quality Assurence managers, production en­ gineers and physicians. Biotechnological pharmaceuticals are in general large and complex protein molecules. Bringing these products to the market poses other problems than encountered with the classical chemical drugs. The source of biotechnological pharmaceuticals are living cells. The function of cells are depend­ ent on many factors and the stability of production may be a problem. Good Laboratory and Manufactory Practices with Quality Control (GLP and GMP) are of paramount importance and are discussed in a number of papers. The products of the new biotechnology are often highly specific and only active in the human species. Also the side effects can only be studied in the clinical setting. Even when the product is active in animals there is the problem of antigenicity. During treatment the animals will produce antibodies which neutralise the activity. So safety testing may prove difficult.

This book, written by leading authors in the field, is the first to deal with all aspects of cytokine antibodies, from test methodology and standardization to biological consequences and functions. It encompasses antibodies induced by cytokines used therapeutically and antiviral antibodies. To understand the biology, the effects of cytokine antibodies in experimental animal models and patients are also discussed. The book is intended for researchers of cytokine biology, pharmaceutical companies developing cytokines and cytokine antibodies as therapies, and clinicians interested in modulating the immune system as therapy.

The justification for yearbooks is greater than ever as we approach the third millennium, overwhelmed with information. This first edition of the Cytokine Yearbook summarizes the latest advances in the revolutionary field of cytokine research. The work is not a comprehensive reference work, but covers a selection of current themes. The intention is to keep paying attention to current topics in the Yearbooks to come. The editors invited a number of distinguished colleagues, who are international experts in their specific fields, resulting in a high scientific level of the contributions. This Yearbook is required reading for every scientist and physician working in the field of cytokines.