Teacher and Technician Information

Specification Points –

4.3.2.2 Uses of monoclonal antibodies

Students should be able to describe some of the ways in which
monoclonal antibodies can be used.
Some examples include:
• for diagnosis such as in pregnancy tests
• in laboratories to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in
blood, or to detect pathogens
• in research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by
binding to them with a fluorescent dye
• to treat some diseases: for cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound
to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells
growing and dividing. It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without
harming other cells in the body.

Students are not expected to recall any specific tests or treatments but given
appropriate information they should be able to explain how they work.

Monoclonal antibodies create more side effects than expected. They are not
yet as widely used as everyone hoped when they were first developed.
Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies

List 3 uses of monoclonal antibodies

Describe how monoclonal antibodies can be

used to identify the location of and treat a
cancer

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages

of monoclonal antibodies
Starter

Hybridoma
Hybrid – meaning ‘…………………’.
A thing made by combining
………
The hybridoma is formed from
These cells are then …………….with ………..and …………………………
……………. cells – these cells are very cells
good at ………………!

The …………. cell can …………….

and …..… the antibodies
We want ………… of the required
antibody – so replication is
………….!
How are Monoclonal Antibodies Useful

They can be designed to bind to many

substances in the body, which can then
be easily identified.
How are Monoclonal Antibodies Useful

To measure the levels of hormones or chemicals in the blood or to

detect pathogens
Example: Pregnancy testing: Monoclonal antibodies can be used
to find small amounts of a hormone that the developing embryo
produces called hCG.

To identify a specific cell or tissue type and bind to it using a

fluorescent dye

Treating some cancers: Monoclonal antibodies can also be used to

diagnose and treat some cancers. Some antibodies bind directly to
the cancerous cells and encourage the sufferer’s immune system
to attack them.
Others can be bound to a radioactive substance or a toxic drug – so
the treatment is delivered directly to the cancerous cells –
meaning other bodily cells are left unharmed.
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing: Monoclonal
antibodies can be used to find
small amounts of a hormone that
the developing embryo produces
called hCG.
Treating Cancer

Treating some cancers:

Monoclonal antibodies can also
be used to diagnose and treat
some cancers. Some antibodies
bind directly to the cancerous
cells and encourage the sufferer’s
immune system to attack them.

Others can be bound to a

radioactive substance or a toxic
drug – so the treatment is
delivered directly to the
cancerous cells – meaning other
bodily cells are left unharmed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Monoclonal Antibodies
Explore the booklet, produced by the World Health Organisation (the
WHO) to draw up a list of pros and cons of monoclonal antibodies

Pros Cons
Plenary

Evaluate the advantages and

disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies