3.2.4 - Monoclonal Antibodies

Tuesday 30th January ‘24

Produced by plasma cells which are clones of one B-cell.

How are they used?

• Radioimmunotherapy - target medication to specific cell types by attaching a therapeutic drug to an antibody.

  • Links radioactive atoms to MAbs

  • Concentrates radiation to tumor sites.

  • Can be used to find malignant tumours so therapy can be targeted.

• Pregnancy testing

  • Antibodies complimentary to hCG protein are bound to a coloured bead.

  • hCG in urine binds to antibodies and moves up the strip carrying beads.

  • Immobilised antibodies which bind to hCG create first “blue line”; immobilised antibodies which bind to coloured beads create second “blue line” if hcG is present.

• Medical diagnosis by identifying proteins or antigen presence using the ELISA test

  • Used for diagnosis of influenza, hepatitis and chlamysia, produces rapid response.

  • Indicates cancer through detecting the proteins produced

What are some of the ethical issues associated with their usage?

• Should patients be told if the monoclonal antibodies used for treatment or testing have been produced using transgenic animals?

• If B cells have been obtained from another person, should they be anonymous donors?

• Should people with multiple sclerosis be denied treatments involving monoclonal antibodies because of the potentially increased side effects?