Monoclonal antibody therapy: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 17:44, 18 February 2025

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy[edit]

Diagram of an antibody, showing the variable and constant regions.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to bind specifically to certain cells or proteins. The objective is to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells. It is a type of targeted therapy, which means it targets specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

Monoclonal antibodies are designed to recognize and bind to specific antigens, which are unique proteins on the surface of cells. Once bound, these antibodies can:

Block cell growth: By binding to the antigens, mAbs can block the signals that promote cell growth.
Mark cells for destruction: The immune system can recognize the bound antibodies and destroy the marked cells.
Deliver radiation or chemotherapy: Some mAbs are conjugated with radioactive particles or chemotherapy drugs, delivering these agents directly to the cancer cells.

Types of Monoclonal Antibodies[edit]

Monoclonal antibodies can be classified based on their source and structure:

Murine antibodies: Derived from mouse proteins, these can cause immune reactions in humans.
Chimeric antibodies: Contain both human and mouse components, reducing the likelihood of an immune response.
Humanized antibodies: Mostly human, with only a small part derived from mouse proteins.
Fully human antibodies: Entirely human, minimizing the risk of immune reactions.

Applications in Medicine[edit]

Monoclonal antibody therapy is used in the treatment of various diseases, including:

Cancer: mAbs can target specific cancer cell antigens, such as HER2 in breast cancer or CD20 in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis can be treated with mAbs that target specific immune cells or cytokines.
Infectious diseases: mAbs can neutralize pathogens or their toxins, as seen in treatments for COVID-19.

Advantages and Limitations[edit]

Advantages[edit]

Specificity: mAbs can precisely target diseased cells, sparing healthy ones.
Versatility: They can be engineered to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances.

Limitations[edit]

Cost: Production and development of mAbs are expensive.
Immune reactions: Some patients may develop immune responses against the antibodies.
Resistance: Cancer cells may develop resistance to mAb therapy over time.

Future Directions[edit]

Research is ongoing to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of monoclonal antibody therapy. Advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology are paving the way for the development of more effective and personalized treatments.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Monoclonal antibody therapy''' is a form of [[immunotherapy]] that uses [[monoclonal antibodies]] (mAb) to bind to specific cells or proteins. This may then stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells. It is possible to create a mAb that is specific for any given target. In this way, monoclonal antibody therapy is a way to specifically target disease-related cells.
+== Monoclonal Antibody Therapy ==
-== History ==
+[[File:Antibody.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of an antibody, showing the variable and constant regions.]]
-The concept of monoclonal antibody therapy was first developed in the 1970s by [[César Milstein]] and [[Georges J. F. Köhler]], who were later awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] for their work. The first therapeutic monoclonal antibody, [[muromonab-CD3]], was approved in 1986 for the treatment of acute transplant rejection.
+'''Monoclonal antibody therapy''' is a form of [[immunotherapy]] that uses monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to bind specifically to certain cells or proteins. The objective is to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells. It is a type of targeted therapy, which means it targets specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
-== Mechanism of action ==
+== Mechanism of Action ==
-Monoclonal antibodies are designed to bind to antigens that are generally more numerous on the cell surface of cancer cells than healthy cells. The binding of the monoclonal antibody to the antigen can lead to an immune response that can destroy the cancer cell. The monoclonal antibodies can also be designed to block signals that allow cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.
+Monoclonal antibodies are designed to recognize and bind to specific antigens, which are unique proteins on the surface of cells. Once bound, these antibodies can:
-== Uses ==
+* '''Block cell growth''': By binding to the antigens, mAbs can block the signals that promote cell growth.
+* '''Mark cells for destruction''': The immune system can recognize the bound antibodies and destroy the marked cells.
+* '''Deliver radiation or chemotherapy''': Some mAbs are conjugated with radioactive particles or chemotherapy drugs, delivering these agents directly to the cancer cells.
-Monoclonal antibody therapy is currently used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including different types of [[cancer]], [[autoimmune diseases]], and [[infectious diseases]]. For example, [[trastuzumab]] (Herceptin) is used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer, and [[rituximab]] (Rituxan) is used in the treatment of certain types of lymphoma.
+== Types of Monoclonal Antibodies ==
-== Side effects ==
+Monoclonal antibodies can be classified based on their source and structure:
-Like all therapies, monoclonal antibody therapy can have side effects. These can include allergic reactions, skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, and more serious side effects such as heart problems and immune reactions.
+* '''Murine antibodies''': Derived from mouse proteins, these can cause immune reactions in humans.
+* '''Chimeric antibodies''': Contain both human and mouse components, reducing the likelihood of an immune response.
+* '''Humanized antibodies''': Mostly human, with only a small part derived from mouse proteins.
+* '''Fully human antibodies''': Entirely human, minimizing the risk of immune reactions.
-== Future directions ==
+== Applications in Medicine ==
-Research is ongoing to develop new monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of other diseases, to improve the efficacy of existing monoclonal antibody therapies, and to reduce side effects.
+Monoclonal antibody therapy is used in the treatment of various diseases, including:
+* '''[[Cancer]]''': mAbs can target specific cancer cell antigens, such as HER2 in breast cancer or CD20 in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
+* '''[[Autoimmune diseases]]''': Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis can be treated with mAbs that target specific immune cells or cytokines.
+* '''[[Infectious diseases]]''': mAbs can neutralize pathogens or their toxins, as seen in treatments for COVID-19.
+== Advantages and Limitations ==
+=== Advantages ===
+* '''Specificity''': mAbs can precisely target diseased cells, sparing healthy ones.
+* '''Versatility''': They can be engineered to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances.
+=== Limitations ===
+* '''Cost''': Production and development of mAbs are expensive.
+* '''Immune reactions''': Some patients may develop immune responses against the antibodies.
+* '''Resistance''': Cancer cells may develop resistance to mAb therapy over time.
+== Future Directions ==
+Research is ongoing to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of monoclonal antibody therapy. Advances in [[genetic engineering]] and [[biotechnology]] are paving the way for the development of more effective and personalized treatments.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Immunotherapy]]
+* [[Targeted therapy]]
+* [[Cancer treatment]]
+* [[Biotechnology]]
 [[Category:Immunotherapy]]
 [[Category:Monoclonal antibodies]]
 [[Category:Cancer treatments]]
-[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-{{Medicine}}
-{{Immunology}}
-{{Cancer}}
-{{Autoimmune diseases}}
-{{Infectious diseases}}
-{{medicine-stub}}