Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy

This set of flashcards covers essential vocabulary and concepts related to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their application in cancer treatment.

mAbs

Monoclonal antibodies, which are antibodies derived from a single cell line and are used in therapies.

Fab

Variable antigen binding regions of antibodies.

Fc

Constant domain of antibodies that binds to effector cells and interacts with immune cells.

ADCC

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity; a mechanism where antigen-specific antibodies direct immune effector cells to kill cancer cells.

ADCP

Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis; antibodies trigger phagocytic cells to engulf cancer cells.

CDC

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity; antibodies activate the complement system leading to cell lysis.

EGFR

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor; a target for monoclonal antibodies used in cancer therapy.

Cetuximab

EGFR

A chimeric monoclonal antibody used to treat head and neck squamous cell cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Trastuzumab

A humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets HER2 used for HER2-positive breast cancers.

VEGF

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; a target for mAbs that inhibit angiogenesis.

Ipilimumab

A fully human IgG1 CTLA-4 inhibitor used in cancer immunotherapy.

Nivolumab

A fully human IgG4 PD-1 inhibitor used to reactivate T-cells in cancer therapy.

Atezolizumab

A humanized IgG1 PD-L1 inhibitor used for various cancers.

CAR T Therapy

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy; a treatment that modifies a patient's T-cells to target specific cancer antigens.

Rituximab

A chimeric murine/human IgG1 monoclonal antibody used in treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma and CLL.

Daratumumab

A human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, used in multiple myeloma.

Brentuximab vedotin

A conjugated monoclonal antibody targeting CD30 used in lymphomas.

Immunogenicity

The ability of a substance to provoke an immune response; a factor to consider in mAb therapies.