Antibiotics - Monoclonal Antibodies in Disease Treatment and Research (GCSE Biology)
Monoclonal Antibodies in Disease Treatment and Research
Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
Investigating Blood
Monoclonal antibodies can be used in research and to detect particular antigens or antibodies in patient samples of blood or tissue in Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests. These tests work similarly to the pregnancy test – the monoclonal antibodies bind to any antigen present, and this leads to a colour change reaction due to an enzyme.
We can use ELISA to:
- Measure the levels of hormones in the blood. Monoclonal antibodies can be made to be complementary to certain hormones. This was used to identify hCG in the pregnancy test we looked at above.
- Detect pathogens. Monoclonal antibodies specific to a particular pathogen can be used to identify presence of the pathogen.
Identifying Diseases
Monoclonal antibodies can be used to detect and find blood clots:
- A blood clot forms by platelets and proteins forming a mesh by joining together. These proteins have a specific structure with specific surface proteins.
- Monoclonal antibodies specific for these proteins can be produced. These antibodies will specifically bind to the proteins that form the blood clot.
- The monoclonal antibodies can be radioactively marked. When these antibodies are injected into the body, they will locate and bind to the clot. You can then do a scan or take a picture that will detect the radioactive elements in the antibodies and thus, you can locate the blood clots and treat them.
Monoclonal antibodies can be used to identify prostate cancer:
- Specific radioactively labelled monoclonal antibodies are given to the patient through a drip. They travel through the blood and when they reach cancer cells, they bind. A scan or picture is taken and wherever there are cancer cells, they appear as bright spots. The position and size of the cancer be identified so treatment can be started.
Treating Cancer
Monoclonal antibodies can be used for treatment. Cancer cells often have antigens called tumour markers. We can design monoclonal antibodies specific to these antigens. This can be useful for delivering.
- Drugs – the monoclonal antibody can carry an anti-cancer drug directly to the tumour
- Radioactive material – the monoclonal antibody can carry a radioactive material, which can help us identify the location of the tumour in a scan
- Chemical – the monoclonal antibody can deliver a chemical to inhibit the cancer cell or attract lymphocytes to the tumour.
Side Effects of Monoclonal Antibodies
Negatives of Monoclonal Antibodies
Despite the benefits of monoclonal antibodies, they do have some negatives. Therefore they have not yet been as widely used as everyone hoped when they were first developed.
- Allergic reactions – monoclonal antibodies can lead to allergic reactions in humans.
- Multiple sclerosis – they have been known to cause deaths in some patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Antigen variation – antigens can vary and change over time. This can render a monoclonal antibody ineffective quickly.
- Using mice for production – animals may be given diseases to stimulate antibody production, and there are concerns over animal rights. Also, often mice are given cancer to produce cancer antibodies.
Positives of Monoclonal Antibodies
On the whole, there are many positives too. Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat many conditions, and can be used to detect early pregnancies to help mothers. Also, monoclonal antibodies as cancer treatment has less side effects than alternative therapy including other drugs and radiotherapy. They are specific so useful in diagnosing diseases quickly (hence it saves money and time for NHS). he advantages of using monoclonal antibodies to
Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing the bacteria or preventing it from growing and spreading
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made copies of natural antibodies. They are designed to target specific proteins found on the surface of certain types of cells, including bacteria and cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. They work by targeting specific proteins that are involved in the disease process and blocking their activity.
Traditional antibiotics target bacteria as a whole, whereas monoclonal antibodies target specific proteins involved in the disease process. This makes monoclonal antibodies a more targeted and effective treatment option for certain types of diseases.
Monoclonal antibodies are also used in research to study the proteins involved in various diseases. Scientists can use monoclonal antibodies to isolate and study specific proteins, which can help them to understand the disease process and develop new treatments.
The benefits of using monoclonal antibodies in disease treatment include higher effectiveness and specificity compared to traditional antibiotics. They also have a lower risk of causing side effects, as they target specific proteins instead of the whole organism.
Like all medical treatments, there are risks associated with using monoclonal antibodies in disease treatment. These can include side effects such as allergic reactions and infection. However, these risks are typically low and can be managed with proper monitoring and care.
Monoclonal antibodies are being used as a treatment for COVID-19 by targeting the virus and blocking its activity. This can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent hospitalization for some people with COVID-19.
The use of monoclonal antibodies in disease treatment has had a positive impact on society by providing more effective and targeted treatments for various diseases. This has led to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. It has also spurred further research into the development of new treatments and therapies.
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