Monoclonal antibodies

• what are monoclonal antibodies?

  Antibodies produced by lots of clones of WBC so they are all identical and target the same antigen
• How can monoclonal antibodies help treat cancer?

  An anti-cancer chemical will be attached to the monoclonal antibody and the antibody will target cancer cells and deliver substance without killing normal cells
• Describe process of making Monoclonal antibodies

  inject mouse with pathogen - the mouse will start producing WBCs lymphocytes. Scientists will collect the lymphocytes and bind with a tumour cell making a hybridoma cell. The hybridoma cell will be cloned and create many Monoclonal antibodies which are collected and purified
• Uses of monoclonal antibodies

  • pregnancy tests
  • Measuring hormone levels
  • cancer treatment