B5.6 Uses of monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

What are the 3 ways monoclonal antibodies can treat cancer?

Answer 1

Direct use of antibodies to trigger the immune system to destroy cancer cells

Using antibodies to block receptors on the surface of cancer cells and so stop the cells growing and dividing

Antibodies can be used to carry toxic drugs for therapy - attack cancer cells without harming other cells in the body

Question 2

What are the advantages of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 2

They only bind to the diseased cell so healthy cells are not affected at all - unlike normal radioactive therapy that can destroy health cells

Can also treat a wide range of conditions

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of monoclonal antivodies?

Answer 3

Expensive but however could be less expensive than conventional dugs because all treatments will be based on a tested technology