How are monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cells used in medicine?

Sourav PanNovember 9, 2024

Answered step-by-step

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), produced through hybridoma technology, have a wide range of applications in medicine. Here’s how they are used across various fields:

Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies in Medicine

1. Cancer Therapy:
   • Monoclonal antibodies are extensively used in cancer treatment as targeted therapies. They can specifically bind to cancer cell antigens, marking them for destruction by the immune system or blocking signals that promote tumor growth. For example:
     • Rituximab targets CD20 on B cells and is used to treat certain types of lymphomas.
     • Trastuzumab (Herceptin) binds to HER2 receptors on breast cancer cells, inhibiting their growth.
     • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) blocks immune checkpoints, enhancing the immune response against tumors.
2. Diagnostic Testing:
   • mAbs are employed in various diagnostic tests due to their specificity for particular antigens. They are used in:
     • Pregnancy Tests: mAbs detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine.
     • Infectious Disease Testing: Rapid tests for diseases like COVID-19 utilize mAbs to identify viral proteins.
     • Cancer Detection: Radioimmunodetection techniques use mAbs labeled with radioactive isotopes to locate tumors.
3. Autoimmune Diseases:
   • Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat autoimmune conditions by targeting specific components of the immune system. For instance:
     • Infliximab and adalimumab are anti-TNF-alpha antibodies used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, helping to reduce inflammation.
4. Transplantation:
   • In organ transplantation, mAbs can prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by targeting T cells that may attack the transplanted tissue. This helps improve transplant acceptance and patient outcomes.
5. Infectious Diseases:
   • mAbs can be utilized as therapeutic agents against various infectious diseases by neutralizing pathogens or toxins. For example, monoclonal antibodies have been developed for:
     • Ebola Virus: Specific mAbs have shown efficacy in treating Ebola infections.
     • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Palivizumab is an mAb used as a preventive treatment in high-risk infants.
6. Vaccine Development:
   • Monoclonal antibodies can also play a role in vaccine development by serving as adjuvants or by being used to create passive immunity in individuals exposed to certain pathogens.
7. Research Tools:
   • In research laboratories, mAbs are invaluable for studying proteins, cellular processes, and disease mechanisms. They are used in techniques such as Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry.