Monoclonal antibodies are useful in treating cancer when radioactive materials or tumor-killing drugs are attached to them. How is it that these cancer-killing methods are delivered only to the tumor and not to other, healthy cells?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Monoclonal antibodies are designed to specifically bind to a particular antigen target found on the surface of cancer cells. This specificity ensures that the cancer-killing methods, such as radioactive materials or tumor-killing drugs, are delivered only to the tumor and not to other healthy cells. The antibodies will not attach to any cancer cell found, but only to those that express the target antigen.

Monoclonal Antibodies Are Useful in Treating Cancer When Radioactive Materials