Staff sensitisation to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies resulting from workplace exposure: A case report

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies were introduced to clinical practice in 1980s and play a vital role in a variety of diseases and clinical interventions including cancer, inflammatory disease, and ophthalmologic disease. There is a lack of substantial research or evidence on the effect of occupational exposure on staff, leading many staff to have significant concerns about what is a safe level of exposure, especially given their increasing availability and use. This report describes a case in which a nurse became sensitised to monoclonal antibodies as a result of preparing and administering them in a clinical area, and the subsequent actions taken in response to the incident to reduce the risk to staff.