Monoclonal antibodies specific to antigens on cancer cells can be used to treat cancer.They bind to the chemicals on the patient's cancer cells that stimulate their uncontrolled growth so that they are unable to function.Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer.It has fewer side effects than other anti-cancer drugs.It is a treatment for cancers that have large amounts of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) such as breast cancer, stomach cancer and gastro oesophageal cancer.Antibodies can also be used for drug-delivery. A cytotoxic drug or radioactive substance can be attached to an antibody so that the drug is delivered to a particular tissue or organ.
Drug Delivery and Therapy
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Specification: AQA Biology (7401), AS-level, 3.2.4 Cell recognition and the immune system. Topic: Cell Recognition and the Immune System.
Key terms in this lesson
- antigen
- A protein or glycoprotein, usually on a cell surface, that is recognised as foreign by the immune system and triggers an immune response.
- antibody
- A Y-shaped protein, made of four polypeptide chains with variable regions complementary to a specific antigen, produced by B plasma cells.
- monoclonal antibody
- An antibody produced from a single clone of B cells, identical in structure and specific to one antigen.
More in Cell Recognition and the Immune System
- Primary and Secondary Immune Response
- Antibody Structure
- Antibody Function
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Medical Diagnosis
- Pregnancy Testing
- Ethics
- Producing Monoclonal Antibodies
All 30 lessons in Cell Recognition and the Immune System · All AQA AS-level Biology topics