monoclonal antibodies

• What are monoclonal antibodies?

  Identical copies of one type of antibody
• How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

  They are made in the laboratory
• What is the first step in producing monoclonal antibodies?

  An antigen is injected into a mouse
• What do lymphocytes produce in response to an antigen?

  Antibodies specific to the antigen
• What cells are removed from the mouse to produce monoclonal antibodies?

  Spleen cells
• What are hybridoma cells?

  Cells formed by fusing spleen and myeloma cells
• What is the significance of hybridoma cells in monoclonal antibody production?

  They divide indefinitely and produce antibodies
• What do pregnancy kits use monoclonal antibodies for?

  To bind with the hormone hCG
• Where is hCG found in pregnant women?

  In the urine
• How do pregnancy test sticks work?

  They detect hCG in urine
• What happens if a woman is pregnant during the test?

  hCG will bind to the monoclonal antibodies
• What indicates a positive pregnancy test result?

  A change in color or pattern occurs
• What is the role of anti-hCG monoclonal antibodies in the test?

  They bind to hCG and trigger a color change
• What is the purpose of the control test in the pregnancy test?

  To ensure a color change occurs regardless of hCG
• What would a negative pregnancy test show?

  Only the color change from the control test
• What do cancerous cells have on their surface?

  Antigens
• What is the role of monoclonal antibodies in cancer diagnosis?

  They bind specifically to cancer cell antigens
• Why must different monoclonal antibodies be developed for cancer diagnosis?

  Each antibody recognizes a specific antigen
• What happens to monoclonal antibodies after injection into the bloodstream?

  They travel and bind to cancer cell antigens
• What may monoclonal antibodies carry to help doctors identify tumors?

  Markers that glow under UV light
• How do fluorescent dyes assist in cancer diagnosis?

  They make it easier to identify tumors
• In which type of cancer have monoclonal antibodies been successfully used?

  Prostate cancer
• How do monoclonal antibodies treat cancer?

  • Target drugs attached to antibodies directly to tumors
  • Encourage white blood cells to attack cancer cells
• What types of drugs can be attached to monoclonal antibodies for cancer treatment?

  Radioactive or toxic substances
• What is a key advantage of using monoclonal antibodies over traditional therapies?

  They target only cancer cells, sparing healthy cells
• What is the effect of monoclonal antibodies on healthy cells during cancer treatment?

  Healthy cells remain unaffected
• How do monoclonal antibodies affect side effects compared to traditional cancer treatments?

  They reduce side effects
• How do monoclonal antibodies encourage the immune system to fight cancer?

  By stimulating white blood cells to attack
• What is the purpose of monoclonal antibodies?

  To test samples for certain pathogens
• What does the ELISA test detect?

  Specific antibodies or antigens in samples
• What hormone do monoclonal antibodies detect in pregnancy tests?

  hCG hormones
• Which diseases can monoclonal antibodies test for?

  Herpes, chlamydia, and HIV
• How can monoclonal antibodies be used in cancer treatment?

  By delivering drugs directly to tumor cells
• What is a benefit of monoclonal antibodies regarding production speed?

  They can be produced quickly after initial development
• What was the initial expectation of monoclonal antibodies in medicine?

  They would be a 'magic bullet' for many conditions
• What are some limitations of monoclonal antibodies?

  They can cause unwanted side effects
• Why are monoclonal antibodies not widely used by doctors?

  They can cause unwanted side effects
• What is a significant drawback of producing monoclonal antibodies?

  They are very expensive to produce
• What ethical issues are associated with monoclonal antibodies?

  • Disagreements based on religious or moral beliefs
  • Involves injecting a mouse with an antigen
  • Removal of spleen cells for antibody production
• What happened during the 2006 drug trial involving monoclonal antibodies?

  It resulted in organ failure despite low doses