Monoclonal Antibodies

Definition

Identical antibodies produced in the laboratory from a single clone of immune cells, designed to bind one specific target (antigen) for use in diagnosis and treatment.

Key points

• Because they all come from one parent cell, every molecule is identical and recognises the same single site on a target, giving high precision.
• They are produced using hybridoma technology, in which an antibody-producing cell is fused with a long-living cancer cell so the culture keeps making the antibody.
• Uses include cancer therapy (targeting tumour cells), autoimmune and inflammatory disease treatment, pregnancy and COVID-19 rapid test kits, and antivenoms.
• The names of many such drugs end in "-mab" (monoclonal antibody), for example rituximab.
• They differ from conventional vaccines: a vaccine trains the body to make its own antibodies (active immunity), while a monoclonal antibody gives ready-made antibodies (passive immunity).

Why it matters for CAPF

Monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma technology, and their role in diagnostics and targeted cancer therapy are recurring biotechnology and health facts.

Common confusion

Monoclonal antibodies (all identical, one target) differ from polyclonal antibodies (a mixture recognising several sites). Giving a monoclonal antibody is passive immunisation (short-lived), unlike a vaccine, which produces long-lasting active immunity.

Related concepts

concept vaccines and immunity, concept stem cells, concept dna and rna

Parent note

biotechnology and genetics