Question

"monoclonal antibody can be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer"- justify the statement with an appropriate example

Answer 1

Monoclonal antibody drugs are a relatively new innovation in cancer treatment. A wide range of monoclonal antibody drugs are available for treating certain cancers specific to particular cells.

A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-synthesized molecule which copies and performs similar function as native antibody. They are carefully engineered to attach to specific defects in your cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies as per its name suggests monoclonal ( means single clone) mimic the antibodies your body naturally produces as part of your immune system's response to germs, vaccines and other invaders (i.e antigens).

Monoclonal antibodies make the cancer cell more visible to the immune system. It block growth signals, Stop new blood vessels from forming, deliver radiation to cancer cells, deliver chemotherapy to cancer cells. By performing all these above processes they destroy the cancer cells in a very concise and targeted manner.

For example : Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) is one such drug approved to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine contains an antibody that attaches to the HER2 receptors on the breast cancer cells. The cancer cells then ingest the antibody, which releases a few molecules as a result of chemotherapy.The chemotherapy only damages the cancer cells, leaving the surrounding healthy cells undamaged.