Try adjusting your type
14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses. They are specially engineered to target a specific disease-causing agent, enhancing the body’s natural responses against the disease. They are used in various therapies including cancer and autoimmune diseases treatments.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made molecules fashioned to function as substitute antibodies that can restore, stimulate, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cancer cells or other diseases. They are engineered to be mono-specific, which means they are formulated to attach to the same part of a single protein on the surface of cells.
Since the mid-20th century, monoclonal antibodies have made essential contributions to biotechnology, diagnostics, and therapeutics, offering groundbreaking results, especially in the healthcare sector. They are the cornerstone of numerous diagnostic laboratory tests and have shown significant promise in fighting diseases, a testimony to the versatility and power of the human immune system.
Understanding monoclonal antibodies is of paramount importance for those involved in medical research, pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, and healthcare providers. The comprehension facilitates advanced diagnostics, precise treatments, and research breakthroughs. For patients, an understanding of monoclonal antibodies can help in their treatment decisions.
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are specialized proteins produced by the immune system to combat invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. They are Y-shaped molecules that recognize, attach to, and neutralize microbes and toxins.
Antibodies play a pivotal role in the immune system by identifying and neutralizing foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. Each antibody can identify a specific foreign object, known as an antigen. The tips of the “Y” in the antibody contain specific structures that fit onto these antigens, much like a lock and key, allowing the antibody to bind to the antigen and mark it for destruction by other parts of the immune system.
The human immune system produces a diverse array of antibodies, each designed to recognize different specific antigens. This diversity is key to the body’s ability to successfully fight off a wide range of infections and diseases.
Monoclonal antibodies are single type antibodies that are identical and are directed towards a specific protein. They are produced by one type of immune cell that’s all cloned from a single parent cell, giving rise to their moniker ‘monoclonal’.
The production of monoclonal antibodies involves the fusion of a specific antigen-producer cell with a tumor cell, creating a hybrid cell, or hybridoma. This hybridoma combines the qualities of its parent cells — ability to produce the specific antibody and the capacity to grow indefinitely. These cells are then cloned and their antibodies are harvested and purified.
Monoclonal antibodies are distinguished by their specificity. Whereas normal antibodies in our blood are a mixture of different types, each recognizing a different antigen, monoclonal antibodies are tailored to recognize a single specific antigen. This feature makes them useful in situations where precision is required, such as targeting a particular cell type or identifying specific proteins or cells in scientific studies.
Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized medical diagnostics. They are frequently used in blood tests to detect levels of specific proteins, hormones, or other molecules. They are also utilized in imaging studies to help visualize certain areas of the body or to study the progression of diseases like cancer.
In therapeutic applications, monoclonal antibodies can be engineered to serve as substitute antibodies to bolster the immune system. They can also be specially designed to attack specific cancer cells. They offer a precise targeting of disease, leading to fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
In research fields, monoclonal antibodies are invaluable. They are used in basic research to understand the role of specific proteins in the body’s response to disease. They are also crucial in drug discovery and development, helping researchers design more effective treatments.
The future holds great promise for monoclonal antibodies. As our understanding of molecular biology and the human genome expands, researchers will be able to design more and more effective monoclonal antibodies. However, challenges remain, such as the high costs of production and difficulties in patenting biological molecules.
Recent developments in monoclonal antibody technologies include the creation of bispecific antibodies, capable of recognizing two different antigens, and the development of antibody-drug conjugates, which deliver drugs directly to target cells.
We’ve explored how monoclonal antibodies, with their inherent specificity, have revolutionized diagnostics, therapeutics, and research in the healthcare field. We have also delved into their production and distinguishing features as well as their promising future.
The journey into monoclonal antibodies illuminates their transformative power and potential. As we continue to unravel their mystery and harness their capabilities, we can expect further breakthroughs in healthcare and beyond, reaffirming the towering importance of monoclonal antibodies.
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