Uses of monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

What was the “magic bullet”

Answer 1

The magic bullet was the name for a drug precisely targeted at a pathogen or disease, such as monoclonal antibodies.

Question 2

What are the three ways of using monoclonal antibodies to treat cancers?

Answer 2

They can be used directly to trigger the immune system to fight cancer cells
They can be used to block receptors on the surface of the cancer cells so they can’t grow and divide.
They can carry toxic drugs or radioactive substances to the cancer cells.

Question 3

What are the advantages of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 3

They only bind to specific diseased or damaged cells

They’re specific and so can be used to treat a wide range of condition

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 4

They are not yet as widely used or successful as intended.

Producing the right monoclonal antibodies can be difficult.