What is a Monoclonal Antibody?
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-made molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cells. They are made by creating identical copies, or clones, of a single type of immune cell, primarily B cells.
How Are They Produced?
Monoclonal antibodies are produced through a process called hybridoma technology. This involves the fusion of a specific type of B cell with a myeloma (cancer) cell. The hybrid cell, called a hybridoma, will reproduce and produce large quantities of the specific antibody.
Applications
Monoclonal antibodies play a crucial role in various medical applications. They are primarily used in diagnostics and therapeutics, including targeted cancer therapy, treatment of autoimmune diseases, and as diagnostic tools for various diseases. For example, mAbs can be used to target specific antigens on cancer cells, thereby marking them for destruction by the immune system.
Benefits and Challenges
The advantages of monoclonal antibodies include their specificity and the ability to tailor treatments for individual patients. However, challenges such as the potential for immune reactions and the high cost of production persist, necessitating ongoing research and development.
In summary, monoclonal antibodies represent a significant advancement in therapeutic strategies, providing targeted, effective treatment options across various diseases.