You may have heard that there are now very advanced, targeted therapies for serious diseases like cancer and arthritis. So, today we are going to talk about an amazing discovery in medicine that occupies a very important place among such advanced treatments. That is "Monoclonal Antibodies". Although the name may seem a bit complicated, its functioning can be understood very simply.
Simply put, what are these Monoclonal Antibodies?
To understand this, we first need to learn about the " antibodies " in our bodies. Antibodies are special soldiers in our immune system. When something foreign (we call them antigens ) like a disease-causing germ or a cancer cell enters our bodies, these antibodies go to recognize the enemy, capture it, and begin to destroy it.
Imagine if we could create these same skilled soldiers in our bodies, along with thousands more, in a lab? That's what monoclonal antibodies are. These are artificial antibodies made in a lab.
"Mono" means "one." "Clonal" means "clone." That is, these are thousands of exact copies of a single antibody. Each copy is identical. They are designed to target and attack exactly the same antigen. If you look at the medicine bottle your doctor gives you, the name of this type of drug ends with the letters "-mab" (e.g. Trastuzumab, Adalimumab).
What is the difference between Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies?
This difference is also in the names. "Mono" means one, and "poly" means several. Imagine that you only have one type of enemy. Monoclonal Antibodies work like sending in a specially trained commando who can attack only that enemy.
On the other hand, Polyclonal Antibodies are like an army of soldiers with different abilities, capable of attacking different types of enemies. These are like the antibodies that our bodies naturally produce, made up of different antibody cells, and can attack more than one type of enemy (antigen).
| Attribute | Monoclonal Antibodies | Polyclonal Antibodies |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Clones from the same antibody cell | From various antibody cells |
| Goal | Only one specific antigen | Can attack several different enemies (antigens) |
| Usage | For targeted treatment and specific diagnosis | For normal immune responses and some diagnostics |
What conditions are treated with this treatment method?
Monoclonal antibodies are truly an amazing tool that can be used to treat a wide range of diseases, from the pregnancy test kit you use at home to the most serious types of cancer.
Below are some of the conditions for which this treatment method is most commonly used.
| Disease category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Cancer | Breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, leukemia |
| Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's disease, Psoriasis, Allergies |
| Infections | Viral infections such as COVID-19, RSV virus |
| Other situations | Osteoporosis, migraines, high cholesterol, some eye diseases, and to prevent rejection in organ transplants |
How is this treatment given?
Most often, these monoclonal antibody drugs are given as a liquid into a vein (intravenous - IV infusion) . Just like giving saline. This is usually done in a special unit (infusion center) of a hospital or clinic.
When you are given this treatment for the first time, the medical staff will be very careful about you. Because sometimes this medicine can cause severe allergic reactions, you may be asked to have a family member come with you for the first time.
Some monoclonal antibodies are also available as a subcutaneous injection . In such cases, a nurse will train you on how to give yourself the injection.
One of the biggest advantages of this treatment method is that it can target only the diseased cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells. This is like identifying a single enemy in a crowded place and capturing it without causing any trouble to the others.
What are the benefits and risks?
As with any treatment, there are some risks involved. But don't worry, your doctor will inform you about all of this and take the necessary precautions.
- Infusion Reactions: This is the most common side effect. It means a reaction that occurs during or shortly after the drug is given to the body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, sweating, and changes in blood pressure. These can be controlled by slowing down the rate of infusion at times like these.
- Severe allergic reactions: These are very rare, but can be life-threatening. For example , anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction.
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Also known as a 'cytokine storm', this is when the immune system becomes overly stimulated and begins to damage the body's organs.
- Other risks: Some risks depend on the disease being treated. For example, kidney failure can occur due to Tumor Lysis Syndrome, which can occur during cancer treatment.
Whatever the case, the most important thing to remember is that this treatment is given under strict medical supervision. Therefore, if any unusual symptoms arise, the medical staff should be informed immediately.
What happens after treatment?
The time it takes for the medicine to enter your body (infusion time) varies. It may take about an hour, and then you may be kept under observation for another hour.
After treatment, if you are not tired or uncomfortable, you will be able to go to work as usual. However, all of this should be decided by talking to your doctor, who knows your condition and overall health best.
If you have been prescribed monoclonal antibody treatment, it is your right to ask your doctor any questions, concerns, or doubts you may have about it.
Take-Home Message
- Monoclonal antibodies are artificial antibodies made in a laboratory. They help our own immune system.
- Because these are targeted, they may have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
- These are used to treat a variety of diseases, including cancer, arthritis, migraines, and COVID-19.
- This medicine is often given as an infusion of saline into a vein. Reactions (infusion reactions) are common during this time, but if you experience severe symptoms, contact your doctor or emergency department (ETU) immediately.
- Always talk to your doctor to determine whether this treatment is right for you and for more information.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න