uses of monoclonal antibodies

what are the 4 uses of monoclonal antibodies?

• diagnosis e.g. pregnancy

• in lab testing e.g. hormones in blood

• location e.g. locate specific molecules

• treating diseases e.g. cancer

how are monoclonal antibodies used for diagnosis of pregnancy?

the monoclonal antibodies are used to detect a specific hormone (HCG) which is produced by the placenta of the developing foetus

the women has to urinate on the strip and then wait for the reaction

what are the pros of using monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis of pregnancy?

• cheap

• easy to use

• highly accurate if done correct

how do we use monoclonal antibodies in lab testing?

• used to measure levels of hormone in the blood

• used to detect pathogens in the blood

what are the pros of using monoclonal antibodies in lab testing?

they are completely specific for what we are looking for

how do we use monoclonal antibodies for location?

they are used to locate/ identify specific molecules in a cell/tissue  

how do we use monoclonal antibodies when treating cancer?

• scientists make antibodies specific to cancer cells-

• they attach a radioactive substance/toxic drug to the antibody

• when antibody injected into the blood they attach to the cancer cells

• the radioactive substance/toxic drug stop the cancer cell from growing and dividing  

what are the pros and cons of using monoclonal antibodies for treating cancer?

pro- the antibody delivers the substance specifically to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body  

Con- in certain drug trials they have been found to produce very harmful side effects