Brief Introduction:
Laboratory-produced antibodies are designed to fight infections in our immune systems. Monoclonal Antibodies, containing the prefix "mono", meaning singular, are unique because they fight one type of infection. mAb's (monoclonal antibodies) accomplish this by translating many copies of a single antibody.. Each mAb works in different ways.
How do these monoclonal antibodies work for cancer?
Cancer cells are hard to spot, hence making it difficult for the monoclonal antibodies to recognize them. In order to help cells fight the various infectious agents they encounter, some mAbs will attach themselves to cancer cells. Antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity or ADCC, is the process through which recognition takes place. After recognition has occurred, mAbs send messages to immune cells, who after arrival, punch holes in the immune cells, thus killing the cancer cells. Other mAbs have the ability to block the signals which are sent for the division of cancer cells.
Clinical Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies:
Although the introduction of a monoclonal antibody is a significant biotechnological advancement, our exposure to its usage has been limited. Many clinical uses include mouse cells, which have little application to human anatomy. However, through studying and genetically engineering the antibodies in the mouse cells, a human monoclonal antibody drug called Herceptin has been developed to help cure breast cancer. As long as biotechnology is involved, the production of inexpensive mAbs can be the genetically engineered plants creating plantibodies.
As modern technology progresses, handling larger amounts of duplicated drugs is going to be the catalyst of the usage of drugs like ZMapp, which is a combination of three mAbs that induce antibodies in tobacco plants. The cloning of genes in antibodies of plants has the potential to reduce the costs that patients will have to pay for a single dose, making it convenient and affordable for many individuals.
Sources:
1. Nakanishi, Katsuhiro et al., “Production of Hybrid-IgG/IgA Plantibodies with Neutralizing Activity against Shiga Toxin 1,” PloS One 8, no. 11 (2013): e80712.
2. “Monoclonal Antibodies (Mabs).” Monoclonal Antibodies (MABs) | Immunotherapy | Cancer Research UK, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/immunotherapy/types/monoclonal-antibodies.
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