Résumé
Since the end of the 90ies, recombinant monoclonal antibodies have markedly changed the therapeutic approach of cancer patients. Whereas the clinical efficacy of many antibodies is now demonstrated, their mechanism of action remains elusive, There is a lot of data obtained in laboratory animals that are tentatively transposed to humans, and only few data originating from clinical experience, Based upon the data concerning the presently available monoclonal antibodies for the clinical setting, this review analyses the functions which depend on antigen binding and those involving immunity effectors after recruitment by immunoglobulin Fc portions. A better knowledge of the mechanisms occurring in patients should allow in the next future the optimisation of these treatments.