monocolonal antibodies

Question 1

What is a monoclonal antibody?

Answer 1

Monoclonal antibodies are monovalent antibodies which bind to the same epitope and are produced from a single B-lymphocyte clone

Question 2

How do monoclonal antibodies work in autoimmune diseases? Give 3 examples

Answer 2

1. Bind to cell surface receptor to activate signalling within the cell
2. Bind to cell surface receptor to inhibit signalling within the cell
3. Bind and internalised (into cell) for antibodies delivering toxins into cancer cells
4. Block inhibitory effects on T cells

Question 3

Name 3 examples of a monoclonal antibody and the disease in which it is used?

Answer 3

Rituximab (a monoclonal antibody against CD20). Used for B cell lymphoma (cancer) as CD 20 is expressed on the surface of all B cells

Trastuzumab– breast cancer – inhibition of HER-2 signalling

(trust her breasts)

Infliximab – many auto-immune conditions e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohns, Psoriasis – inhibition of TNF (one of the inflammatory cytokines)