Monoclonal antibodies used in immunotherapy are produced artificially from a cell clone therefore consist of a single type of immunoglobulin. They are targeted towards specific antigens and bind to the antigens to form a complex. The monoclonal antibody-antigen complex can be recognized and destroyed by phagocytes or it can used for other diagnostic purposes.
Natural antibodies are proteins made by the B-lymphocytes in response to antigens. Each B-cell makes only one type of antibody. For therapeutic purposes a significant amount of a particular antibody is needed. These are obtained from a culture that gives one type of antibody, which are called monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are used as chemotherapeutic agents to treat malignant tumors and viral infections. They are also used in tests to detect AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and in pregnancy test kits.
See also
- anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies
- antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies
- CD20 monoclonal antibodies
- CD30 monoclonal antibodies
- CD33 monoclonal antibodies
- CD52 monoclonal antibodies
- RANK ligand inhibitors
- trifunctional monoclonal antibodies
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