Monoclonal antibodies – Higher tier only
Production of monoclonal antibodies
‘Mono’ means one and 'clone' means identical copy. Monoclonal antibodies are, therefore, identical copies of one type of antibody.
A protein produced by the immune system in humans (and other animals) that attacks foreign organisms (antigens) that get into the body. are proteins produced by a type of white blood called White blood cells which attack pathogens by producing antibodies.. Microorganism that causes disease. have proteins on their surface called A protein on the surface of a substance (often a pathogen) that triggers an immune response.. When a pathogen infects the body, the lymphocytes recognise these antigens as foreign and attack them by producing antibodies.
Antibodies bind to specific antigens on pathogens. This means that only one type of antibody will bind to a matching antigen. Scientists discovered that they could make antibodies to bind to antigens on other substances, and not just those on pathogens. Once bound, the antigens - and the substances they are found on - are merged tightly together. This makes them easier to identify and deal with.
Formation of monoclonal antibodies
- An antigen is injected into a mouse.
- The mouse naturally produces lymphocytes, which produce antibodies specific to the antigen.
- Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are removed during a small operation.
- The spleen cells are fused with human cancerous white blood cells called A tumour cell that repeatedly divides by mitosis. to form A myeloma cell fused with an antibody-producing cell. which divide indefinitely.
- These hybridoma cells divide and produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen.
Uses of monoclonal antibodies
Cancer diagnosis and treatment
Some types of A disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. The uncontrolled growth causes a lump called a tumour to form. cells have specific antigens on their surface called A protein on the surface of tumour cells that can be recognised by the immune system.. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced to bind specifically with these antigens. When injected into a person’s body, the monoclonal antibodies will bind with these cancer cells and clump them together. This makes it easier to identify a cancerous The lump of cells formed as a result of uncontrolled cell division., which can then be treated or removed. If these are attached to anti-cancer drugs, they will deliver the drug directly to the cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibodies can treat cancer by:
- carrying drugs that have been attached to them to the tumour
- encouraging your The body's defence system against entry of any foreign body, including pathogens and agents such as pollen grains. The role of the immune system is to prevent disease. to attack the cancer cells directly
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