Use of monoclonal antibodies in: targeting medication to specific cell types; medical diagnosis
Scientists engineer identical antibodies that bind to one specific target on a cell. Doctors use these monoclonal antibodies to deliver drugs directly to diseased cells or to detect specific substances in the body.
Real World
Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer; it binds specifically to the HER2 receptor overexpressed on tumour cells, blocking uncontrolled growth while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Exam Focus
State both the binding mechanism and the consequence (drug delivery or signal blocking) to secure full marks on 'explain how' questions.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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