3.2.2 - Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies

Outline the uses of monoclonal antibodies

• Detection of pathogens

• Location of cancer cells and blood clots

• Treatment of cancer

• Used in pregnancy test kits

What are myeloma cells?

Type of tumor cell

What do pregnancy kits test for?

hCG in urine

What does a pregnancy test consist of?

A stick containing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to hCG:

• mAbs attached to blue head (free to move)

• mAbs fixed to test stick

Describe what happens to the test stick if a woman is pregnant

• hCG in urine binds to mAbs attached to a blue bead

• mAbs with hCG diffuse up dipstick

• mAbs fixed to the stick bind to hCG

• Blue line forms

Describe what happens to the test stick if the pathogen is not present

No hCG in urine so a blue line is not formed.

What is the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies to test for pathogens?

• Specific to one particular antigen

• Very accurate

• Quick results

Why can monoclonal antibodies be used to target cancer cells?

• Cancer cells have specific antigens called “tumor markers” on their membranes

• mAbs are specific to one type of antigen so can be targeted to “tumor markers” without damaging other cells

Describe how monoclonal antibodies can used to diagnose cancer

• mAbs tagged to a radioactive substance

• mAbs injected into the patient’s bloodstream

• mAbs binds to “tumor markers” on cancer cells

• Emitted radiation is detected using a specialized scanner enabling doctors to determine the location of cancer cells

How can monoclonal antibodies be used to target drugs to cancer cells?

• mAbs attached to an anti-cancer drug

• mAbs injected into the patient’s bloodstream

• mAbs bind to “tumor markers” on cancer cells

• Anti-cancer drug destroys cancer cells

Why are cancer treatments that use monoclonal antibodies favored over traditional treatments?

• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy target rapidly dividing cells

• Healthy cells (e.g. hair follicle cells, bone marrow cells) are damaged as a consequence, producing unpleasant side effects

• mAbs only target cancer cells, reducing damage to normal cells

How can monoclonal antibodies be used to locate blood clots?

• mAbs tagged to a radioactive substance

• mAbs target and bind to specific proteins in blood clots

• Radiation emitted by mAbs is detected, enabling the location of blood clots to be ie

What are the advantages of using monoclonal antibodies?

• They only bind to specific cells, meaning healthy cells are not affected

• They can be engineered to treat many different conditions

• We are now able to produce mouse-human hybrid cells to reduce the chance of triggering an immune response

What are the disadvantages of using monoclonal antibodies?

• It is difficult to attach monoclonal antibodies to drugs

• They are expensive to develop

• As they were produced from mice lymphocytes, they often triggered an immune response when used in humans