Have you ever heard the name 'Monoclonal Antibody'? You may have heard this name used as a treatment for cancer, or for diseases like Covid-19. Although it is a bit of a strange and big word, this is actually a type of medicine that has made an amazing revolution in our medicine. Don't worry, this is not difficult to understand. Today, let's talk simply about what these are, how they work, and what diseases they are used for.
Simply put, what are monoclonal antibodies?
To understand this, let's first learn about something we have in our bodies: 'Antibodies'.
Imagine that our body is a country. Then our immune system is the army of that country. The special soldiers in this army are called 'Antibodies'. When an enemy from outside, that is, something like a germ or a cancer cell (in medicine we call these antigens ) enters the body, these soldiers go and capture that enemy and signal other cells to destroy it.
Now, 'monoclonal antibodies' are a special type of antibody that we make in a laboratory. These are exactly like copies of the antibodies that we have in our bodies.
- 'Mono' means 'one'.
- 'Clonal' means 'clone'.
That is, they are like many 'photocopies' of the same antibody. They are made to attack only one specific enemy (antigen). For example, antibodies are made to attack only a specific protein on the surface of a cancer cell. You may have seen the names of these drugs end in "mab" (e.g. Trastuzumab, Rituximab).
Simply put, monoclonal antibodies are 'missiles' that are designed in a laboratory to destroy a specific enemy and that never miss their target.
What kind of diseases do these treat?
This technology is now being used to treat a wide range of diseases. Since the first monoclonal antibody drug was approved in 1986, a wide range of drugs have been developed.
| Disease category | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Cancer | To target and destroy cancer cells such as breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia. |
| Autoimmune Disorders | To control the overactivity of the immune system in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. |
| Infections | To prevent and combat viruses such as the COVID-19 virus. |
| Organ Transplant Rejection | To prevent the body from rejecting an organ, such as a kidney, after it has been transplanted. |
| Other diseases | It is also used for osteoporosis, migraines, high cholesterol, some eye diseases, and diseases of the nervous system. |
How is this treatment given?
This medicine is often given as a saline solution into a vein (intravenous - IV) . This is also called an 'infusion'. You will probably be admitted to a hospital or clinic 'infusion center' for a day and given this treatment for several hours.
- First treatment: If this is your first time undergoing this treatment, you may want to ask a family member to come with you. This is because the medical staff will be paying special attention to you to explain the treatment and to check for any allergic reactions.
- Subcutaneous injection: Sometimes, this medicine is also given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous) . In this case, your doctor or nurse will show you how to inject it yourself. These are usually given in the abdomen or thigh.
Types of treatment methods
These antibodies are used in various ways:
1. Naked Monoclonal Antibodies: These are a stand-alone treatment. They go directly to and attach to things like cancer cells, stopping their growth or signaling the immune system to destroy them.
2. Conjugated Monoclonal Antibodies: These are like a 'parcel'. A chemotherapy drug or radioactive particle is attached to the antibody and sent. The antibody finds the cancer cell and 'delivers' this 'parcel' there. This causes very little damage to healthy cells.
3. Bispecific Monoclonal Antibodies: These can attack two targets at once. It's like having two hands doing two jobs. For example, while grabbing a cancer cell with one hand, the other hand grabs an immune cell, connecting the two together and helping to destroy the cancer cell.
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
Advantages
- The target is specific: Traditional treatments like chemotherapy damage all rapidly dividing cells (cancer cells as well as healthy hair and skin cells). But because these directly attack only the cells involved in the disease, side effects are minimal.
- More effective: These have been very successful in curing some diseases, especially cancers.
- Same standard: Because it is made in a laboratory, every batch of medicine is of the same quality.
Risks
As with any medication, this treatment can have some risks. But don't worry, your doctor will educate you about all of this and take good care of you.
- Infusion Reactions: These are the most common reactions that occur during or shortly after the infusion. These may include body aches, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, sweating, and changes in blood pressure. These can usually be controlled by slowing the infusion rate.
- Serious reactions (rare): Very rare, but serious reactions can occur.
- Acute Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction that occurs suddenly.
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): The immune system can become overactive and damage organs.
- Serum Sickness: An attack by the body's immune system against the medicine.
It is because things like this can happen that the doctors and nurses are very careful about you, especially when you are being treated for the first time.
Do you want to talk to the doctor?
Yes, absolutely. If you have any questions about this treatment, or if you want to know if this treatment is right for you, talk openly with your doctor. He or she will give you the best advice based on your medical condition and health status.
Important: If you experience any unexpected reactions after treatment, especially difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bruising, difficulty speaking, or changes in consciousness , call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
Take-Home Message
- Monoclonal antibodies are a special type of protein made in a laboratory that works like parts of our own immune system.
- These are a modern and successful method used to treat a variety of diseases, including cancer, arthritis, and COVID-19.
- Because this treatment works on the target, it may have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
- Reactions such as fever and rash may occur when the medicine is given. However, serious side effects are very rare.
- Always discuss with your doctor whether this treatment is right for you and what its pros and cons are.
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