Medical Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
- Monoclonal antibodies that are produced can be to a specific protein on the cell or a particular chemical
- Monoclonal antibodies have a variety of uses. Some examples include:
- To diagnose certain diseases
- Tissue typing for transplants
- Monitoring the spread of malaria
- Supporting chemotherapy for cancers
Use of monoclonal antibodies table
| Use | How it works |
| Diagnosis of disease |
Immunoassays are used in the diagnosis of diseases caused by Chlamydia trachmatis, HIV, and Plasmodium: Radioactively labelled monoclonal antibodies are added to test samples of infected body fluids. These attach to specific antigens on the disease-causing cells. The extent of the infection is related to the extent molecules detected by the labelled monoclonal antibodies |
| Tissue typing for transplants |
The concentration of non-self-antigens in tissues can be assessed: B-lymphocytes within transplant tissue would normally cause rejection as these would be detected as non-self antigens by the body's immune system. These are prevented from functioning by monoclonal antibodies that can be used against the body's T-lymphocytes (Helper T-cells) which would attack the non-self B lymphocytes |
| Monitoring the spread of malaria |
Blood samples are taken from individuals (even if they do not show any The presence of the Plasmodium parasite in the bloodstream can be detected by monoclonal antibodies, even if the parasites are dead having been killed by anti-malarial drugs. Specific antigens from Plasmodium will attach to labelled monoclonal antibodies. Labelled monoclonal antibodies can be detected and their quantity measured, indicating the presence of malaria. This enables the success of anti-malarial drugs and the potential spread of malaria to be monitored. |
| Destruction of cancer cells |
The destruction of cancer cells can be targeted with Tumour markers are a special type of antigen found on some cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced that act specifically against tumour marker antigens. The monoclonal antibodies can be attached to anti-cancer drugs so that the drug will be delivered directly to the cancer cells and thereby destroying them. |
Examiner Tip
You are expected to recall the specific examples and uses of monoclonal antibodies given in the table above. You should be able to explain how monoclonal antibodies work using the principles of antibody specificity and could be expected to apply this knowledge to the uses of monoclonal antibodies.
