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“Evolutionary pressure has selected antibodies as key immune molecules acting against foreign pathogens. The development of monoclonal antibody technology has allowed their widespread use in research, real-time diagnosis and treatment of multiple diseases, including cancer. However, compared with hematologic malignancies, Selleckchem RAD001 solid tumors have often proven to be relatively

resistant to antibody-based therapies. In an attempt to improve the tumor-targeting efficacy of antibodies, new formats with modified, multivalent properties have been generated. Initially, these formats imitated the structure of native IgG, creating mostly monospecific, bivalent antibodies. Recently, novel trivalent antibodies have been developed to maximize tumor targeting capabilities through enhanced biodistribution and functional affinity. We review recent advances in the engineering of multivalent antibodies and further discuss their promise as agents for in vivo diagnostics and therapy.”
“Background: Weight gain is a major Napabucasin solubility dmso side effect of antipsychotic treatment. Some atypical antipsychotic agents have profound effects on weight. Body weight is regulated by a complex system, including both peripheral and central factors. Two of the hormones that seem to play an important role in the regulation of food intake. energy metabolism,

and body weight are leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a mediator of long-term regulation of energy balance, suppressing food intake and thereby inducing weight loss. Ghrelin on the

other hand is a fast-acting hormone, seemingly playing a role in meal initiation. In this present study it is aimed to compare the effects of five different atypical antipsychotic medications on leptin and ghrelin.

Method: 112 patients who were treated either with clozapine (n = 20), olanzapine (n = 28), risperidone (n = 22), quetiapine (n = 20) or amisulpride (n = 22) as monotherapy for at least one year and age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) matched control group (n=23) were assessed cross-sectionally. Ghrelin and leptin levels were measured with enzyme-immunoassay.

Results: When fasting serum leptin levels were compared between groups, control group had the highest mean value (9.2 +/- Selleck Pazopanib 6.7) and amisulpride group had the lowest mean value (3.7 +/- 2.1) but still there was no statistically significant difference between six groups (F=1993, p=0.084). In the comparison of the mean values of fasting serum ghrelin levels there was a statistically significant difference between groups (F= 11,473, p=0.00). In post-hoc analysis it was seen that the control group had the lowest ghrelin level (194.5 +/- 86.8). Quetiapine treated group (378.1 +/- 260.4) had similar fasting serum ghrelin levels to control group. All the other antipsychotic treatment groups had significantly higher levels of fasting serum ghrelin compared to control group, highest in amisulpride treated group (597.0 +/- 150.0).