Review of Non-communicable Diseases and Monoclonal Antibodies

Non-communicable Diseases

  • Definition: Diseases that cannot spread between people or animals.

    • Typically lasting a long time and worsening gradually.

  • Examples:

    • Asthma

    • Cancer

  • Categories:

    • Cardiovascular Disease

    • Some individuals may inherit genes that predispose them to certain conditions.

    • Can also be caused by lifestyle factors:

      • Poor diet

      • Lack of exercise

      • Overexposure to the sun

      • Drug misuse

Cancer

  • Definition: Tumors are abnormal masses of cells arising from uncontrolled cell growth and division.

    • Two Main Types:

    1. Benign:

      • Tumor grows until no more space, stays localized, and generally isn’t dangerous (not cancerous).

    2. Malignant:

      • Tumor invades surrounding healthy tissues; cells can metastasize, spreading to other body parts via the bloodstream, forming secondary tumors.

Risk Factors for Developing Cancer

  • Tobacco Use:

    • Smoking associated with lung, mouth, stomach, and cervical cancers.

  • Obesity:

    • Linked with bowel, liver, and kidney cancers.

  • UV Exposure:

    • Major cause of skin cancer from sun and tanning beds.

  • Viral Infections:

    • Certain infections like Hepatitis can increase the chances of liver cancer.

  • Genetics:

    • Faulty gene inheritance linked to breast and ovarian cancers.

Methods of Treatment for Cancer

  1. Radiotherapy:

    • Cancer cells are destroyed through targeted dosages of radiation.

    • Advantages:

      • Rapid treatment.

      • Non-invasive.

      • Highly targeted.

    • Side Effects:

      • May damage surrounding healthy cells.

      • Fatigue, nerve damage, sore throat, hair loss.

  2. Chemotherapy:

    • Utilizes chemicals to stop cell division or induce self-destruction.

    • Advantages:

      • Effective on early-stage cancer cells.

    • Side effects:

      • Infection risk, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss.

Risk Factors Explained

  • Definition: Factors increasing the likelihood of disease but do not guarantee it.

    • Influential aspects:

    • Lifestyle (locally, nationally, globally)

    • Environmental factors

    • Substances present within the body

  • Interaction of Risk Factors:

    • Many non-communicable diseases arise from multiple interacting risk factors.

Smoker's Impact on Health

  • Causative Effects:

    • Directly leads to cardiovascular disease, lung diseases, and lung cancer by damaging arterial walls and lung cell linings.

  • Toxic Components of Cigarettes:

    • Nicotine: Highly addictive, affects brain and heart rate.

    • Carbon Monoxide: Combines with red blood cells, depleting oxygen transport.

    • Tar: Sticky substance that clogs the lungs, increases infection risk.

    • Specific diseases caused:

    • Bronchitis: Narrowing of bronchi and bronchioles.

    • Emphysema: Alveolar damage reduces gas exchange area.

    • Lung Cancer: Result of abnormal cell division.

Vaping and Emerging Risks

  • Risks Associated:

    • Nicotine: Most vapes contain it, posing addiction risks.

    • Propylene Glycol: Found in foods but can cause skin irritation.

    • Heavy Metals: Some vaping products may contain lead, nickel, and cadmium.

    • While e-cigarettes can aid smoking cessation, nicotine's role may induce new smokers.

Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects

  1. Health Consequences:

    • Excessive drinking linked to liver disease and impaired brain function.

    • Development of Cirrhosis leading to severe tissue damage.

    • Brain can lose volume from alcohol effects; may lead to death.

  2. Pregnancy Risks:

    • Alcohol crosses the placenta, affecting fetal development leading to miscarriage, stillbirths, and cognitive impairments.

    • Linked to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), causing facial deformities and learning issues.

Obesity and Chronic Disease

  • Connection to Type 2 Diabetes:

    • Poor diet and lack of exercise lead to insulin resistance, which hampers glucose regulation.

    • Rising obesity rates linked to unhealthy western diets (e.g., fast food, sedentary lifestyles).

    • Obesity accounts for approximately 80-85% of Type 2 diabetes risk.

  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk:

    • High blood pressure and fatty deposits in arteries contribute to cardiovascular illnesses.

    • Key diseases include:

    • Cholesterol-related issues:

      1. Cholesterol accumulation narrows arteries, restricting blood flow to organs.

      • Heart Attack Sequence:

        1. Cholesterol buildup leads to narrowed artery.

        2. Blood flow restriction starves heart of oxygen/glucose.

        3. Resulting cell death.

      • Stroke Sequence:

        1. Similar process in the brain leading to cell death.

Disease Prevention Strategies

  • Recommended Actions:

    • Reduce fat and alcohol intake.

    • Stop smoking.

    • Maintain healthy eating and stress reduction.

    • Increase physical activity.

  • Understanding Correlation vs Causation:

    • Risk factors identified through scientific correlation analysis do not imply direct causation.

    • The human cost of non-communicable diseases is substantial, impacting millions annually and lowering life quality.

    • Financial Impact:

    • High costs incurred by healthcare systems and family adaptations to care for affected individuals.

Monoclonal Antibodies

  • Definition: Identical antibodies produced from clones of a single B-lymphocyte; specific to one protein antigen.

  • Production Process:

    1. Inject a mouse with an antigen to stimulate B-lymphocyte production.

    2. Fuse B-lymphocytes with fast-dividing tumor cells to create hybridomas.

    3. Clone hybridoma cells to produce monoclonal antibodies.

    4. Purify antibodies for targeting specific proteins or cells.

Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies

  1. In Medical Testing:

    • Pregnancy tests detect HCG hormone levels.

    • Mechanism:

    1. HCG binds to antibodies coated with blue beads.

    2. Urine flow carries complex to the test strip, changing color based on binding.

  2. In Cancer Treatment:

    • Monoclonal antibodies can target cancer cells via tumor markers.

    • Method:

    1. Anti-cancer drugs attached to antibodies allow selective targeting of cancer cells without harming normal cells.

  3. In Research:

    • Used to measure specific hormone levels, test blood for pathogens, and locate molecules in tissues.

    • Fluorescent dyes can aid in detection of bound antibodies.

Limitations of Monoclonal Antibodies

  • While advantageous in precision treatments for cancer, monoclonal antibodies are not without side effects:

    • Can cause fever, vomiting, and low blood pressure.

    • Side effects were underestimated during initial development, limiting widespread application.

Conclusion and Reflection

  • Understanding the mechanics and applications of monoclonal antibodies can lead to advancements in medical treatments and diagnostic techniques.

  • Future research and exploration warranted to mitigate their limitations and enhance therapeutic efficacy.