SPECIAL SECTION: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

WHAT ARE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES (MABs)? DEFINITION, DESCRIPTION, — USES, HISTORY, ISSUES

Monoclonal antibodies are produced by cells that are all derived from a single antibody-producing cell. This means that they are exceptionally pure and highly specific in their action. This specificity allows them to be used in humans and in animals for disease diagnosis and treatment. MABs have had a major impact on virtually every area of investigative science and applied research.

Producing MABs requires first immunizing an animal, usually a mouse. The mouse is injected with a specific antigen–a foreign substance that the animal’s immune system can recognize and respond to by producing antibodies. After the mouse’s immune system develops antibodies against the antigen, antibody producing white blood cells (B-cells) are removed from the mouse’s spleen. These cells are then fused with myeloma cells, a rapidly multiplying white blood cell cancer, to make them immortal–i.e., they will grow and divide indefinitely. A tumor of the fused cells is called a hybridoma. These cells secrete MABs…..Cont….

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