antibodies in medicine Flashcards
What are monoclonal antibodies
Antibodies produced from a single group of genetically identical B cells- meaning they are all identical in structure
How do antibodies have unique structure
complimentary binding sites due to unique tertiary structure
Can you make monoclonal antibodies that bind with anything
Yes
How do monoclonal antibodies target cancer cells
- cancer cells have antigens called tumour markers that aren’t found in normal body cells
- you can attach anti cancer drugs to the antibodies
- antibodies can be made complimentary to tumour markers
Positives of monoclonal antibodies binding to specific cancer cells
- drugs only accumulate in the body where there are cancer cells
- side effects of an antibody based drug are lower than other cells because they accumulate near specific cells
How do pregnancy tests work with monoclonal antibodies
- application area contains antibodies for hCG bound to coloured beads
- hCG is a hormone only found in pregnant women
- when the urine is applied to the application area, any hCG will bind to the antibody on the beads forming an antigen antibody complex
- urine moves up the stick carrying any beads with it and the hCG binds to any antibodies on the strip that are stuck in place which shows the coloured lines
How to Eliza tests work-
E.g using Eliza as a hiv test
1- beaker with HIV antigen bound to the bottom
2- plasma sample added
3- antibody specific to antigen binds to antigens at the bottoms
4- wash out the beaker and add the secondary antibody with attached enzyme
5- wash out
6- substrate added and if colour changes hiv is present
Why is washing out the beaker important in Eliza testing
To make sure any unbound antibodies are washed out and do not effect results
Why would there be no colour change if Eliza test is negative
No HIV specific antibodies for secondary antibody to bind to with attached enzyme that causes colour change
Ethical issues with use of vaccines and antibodies
- animal testing
- putting people at unnecessary risk of contracting disease due to thinking they are fully protected (e.g having unprotected sex thinking HIV protected and vaccine may not work)
- risk of side effects defers people from having vaccine effecting herd immunity
- who receives vaccine first in epidemic
Ethical issues with monoclonal antibodies
Animals used to produce the cells that monoclonal antibodies are made from
