THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF IMMUNOMAGNETIC CELL SELECTION: A REVIEW

INTRODUCTION: With the explosion in the development of monoclonal antibodies and the improved characterization of lineage and tumor specific antigens, it is now possible to separate many specific cell types from mixed populations in blood, bone marrow and other tissue fluids. Immunomagnetic technology has greatly facilitated this process, particularly in the research laboratory where certain cellular subtypes can be separated with high purity for further investigations. Cell selection for therapeutic use, however, is a growing field that places more stringent demands on immunomagnetic technology.