But, as it turned out, these immortal, antibody-producing cells were useful not only for scientific inquiry, but also as a novel technological instrument for a variety of medical and industrial applications. Indeed, the technology has led to the development of highly specific diagnostic tests; blockbuster anti-cancer drugs such as Rituxan (rituximab), Erbitux (cetuximab), and Herceptin (trastuzumab); and Avastin (bevacizumab), which is widely used to treat both cancer and diseases of the retina that commonly cause blindness.
但是，事实上，这些长生不老、能产生抗体的细胞不但可用于科学研究，也是多种医学和工业应用的梦幻技术工具。事实上，该技术已经带来了高精确度诊断测试的发展；美罗华（利妥昔单抗）、爱必妥（西妥昔单抗）和赫赛汀（曲妥单抗）等轰动性抗癌药物；以及被广泛用于治疗癌症和常常导致失明的视网膜疾病的阿瓦斯丁（贝伐单抗）。