RT - Journal Article T1 - Nanobody and Its Therapeutic Applications JF - J-Mazand-Univ-Med-Sci YR - 2018 JO - J-Mazand-Univ-Med-Sci VO - 28 IS - 159 UR - http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-10331-en.html SP - 143 EP - 161 K1 - Nanobody K1 - VHH K1 - phage display K1 - monoclonal antibodies AB - Background and purpose: Monoclonal antibodies market has grown since approval of Muromonab-CD3 (trade name Orthoclone OKT3) in 1986 as immuno- suppressor. Nevertheless, the undesirable effects of these large specific biomolecules calls for further attempts for more effective alternatives. Variable domain of heavy chain (VHH) are the smallest antibody fragments called Nanobody (Nb), derived from camelid heavy chain-only antibodies (HcAb) by DNA recombinant gene technology. In this study, some of the unique structural and functional features of Nbs are summarized. The main context of this review speculate about several experimental therapeutic applications of Nbs against a wide range of diseases ranging from infectious, animal toxin, autoimmune, and cancer disease in three different functional platforms. Data about structural and functional features of Nbs and their therapeutic effects were retrieved from articles indexed in PubMed, Science direct, and Google Scholar. Development and employment of Nbs in different researches show that their unique physicochemical properties make them a useful tool for biomedical applications and drug discovery. This is because of some exceptional feathers such as small size, extraordinary stability, high affinity even for occluded epitopes, and cost-effective production. This review provides an overview of efficacy and success of Nbs as more promising therapeutic agents over conventional antibodies against multiple diseases. LA eng UL http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-10331-en.html M3 ER -