-target a specific antigen on the cell surface (via antibody-antigen binding)
-each antibody is produced by a specific B cell line
-used for the treatment of cancer and various auto-immune diseases
-During the cell cycle, a mutated cell may occur due to environmental or genetic factors (cancerous cells occur as the cell divides uncontrollably)
-Monoclonal antibodies used to treat cancer target specific antigens that are overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells (results in apoptosis, MAC complexes via complement mediated cell lysis or attract other immune cells to attack the cancer cells)
-A lot of the cell receptors promote growth and proliferation that are targets for mAbs
-cancer mAbs are administered IV- destroyed in GI tract if taken orally
-Human monoclonal antibody suffix ("UMAB")
-Chimeric monoclonal antibody suffix ("XIMAB")-more likely to be recognized as foreign and promote hypersensitivity reactions
-Humanized monoclonal antibodies produced by other species ("Zumab")- less likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions compared to Chimeric mAbs
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