Anti-idiotypic Monoclonal Antibodies: Novel Approach to Immunotherapy

Immunoglobulin molecules possess variable regions specific for antigen recognition. The variable region is encoded by VH, D and JH genes for the heavy chains and VL and JL chains for the light chain (Tonegawa 1983). The variable region contains determinants known as idiotypes (Ids) which are themselves immunogenic. Anti-Id antibodies can recognize idiotopes expressed by the light chain, heavy chain, or a combination of both chains (Kunkel et al. 1963; Oudin and Michel 1963). The initial studies by Oudin and Michel (1963) and Kunkel et al. (1963) indicated that an Id was unique to a small set of antibody molecules. However, the Id determinants may show a continuum of specificity ranging from more or less private to semipublic (Williamson 1976; Stevenson and Glennie 1985). Shared idiotopes are attractive targets for active and passive immunotherapy approaches and may play important roles in the regulation of the antibody response.