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 complex can be recognized and destroyed by phagocytes and macrophages. These complexes can also be 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.
Use of monoclonal antibodies work by various mechanisms to treat cancer. They enhance the immune reaction to destroy cancer cells of certain types of cancers that have particular surface antigens.
Monoclonal antibodies can also be directed towards other cells and molecules needed for the growth of tumors, therefore inhibits the growth of the cancer cells. They can be conjugated chemotherapy drugs, radioactive drugs, or to toxins that can attack the cancer cells. By conjugating these agents to the monoclonal antibodies, these agents are delivered directly to the tumor cells when the monoclonal antibody binds to the specific surface antigens on the tumor cells.
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