Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are proving to be an effective form of treatment against several diseases, like cancer and COVID-19. These imitate the function of antibodies naturally present in one’s body, only with greater resistance power. This is why these antibodies serve as remedies to beat deadly viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

A thorough idea of this topic is essential to crack IAS Exam. Keep reading to know about these antibodies in detail and prepare better.

Latest News Regarding Monoclonal Antibodies in India

• International Aids Vaccine Initiative and the Serum Institute of India have announced an agreement with Merck to develop monoclonal antibodies for the Sars-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).
• According to a recent publication in the Times of India, the Omicron variant is entirely unresponsive to the primary monoclonal antibody treatments available. It has been deemed ineffective.
• BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also received monoclonal antibody treatment after testing positive for COVID-19.

Candidates can refer to the UPSC Syllabus related links given below:

What are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are artificially engineered in laboratories by scientists as a form of medication. This is because they are characterised by their ability to help a human body combat viral infections better. These can target only one specific type of antigen.

The short-form for them is Moabs or Mabs. Here is how it works.

The body responds by producing antibodies to counteract the virus or antigens, whenever a person falls ill. These antibodies are specific to a particular antigen. Therefore, scientists can replicate these antibodies and help in the treatment of a disease.

So far, healthcare professionals have used monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of cancer.

Examples of Monoclonal Antibodies

There are four ways in which scientists prepare monoclonal antibodies. They are:

• Murine: Murine monoclonal antibodies consist of mouse proteins, and any treatment with these ends with the suffix -omab.
• Human: These are made purely from human beings, and any treatment with these ends with the suffix -umab.
• Humanised: Humanised monoclonal antibodies are made of parts of mouse proteins attached to human proteins. Any treatment with these ends with -zumab.
• Chimeric: These are also a combination of part mouse and part human. The treatment ends with -umab.

Here are some FDA approved monoclonal antibodies.

• Ustekinumab (Stelara)
• Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
• Tocilizumab (Actemra)
• Secukinumab (Cosentyx)
• Rituximab (Rituxan)
• Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
• Panitumumab (Vectibix)
• Palivizumab (Synagis)
• Omalizumab (Xolair)
• Olaratumab (Lartruvo)
• Nivolumab (Opdivo)
• Natalizumab (Tysabri)
• Ixekizumab (Taltz)
• Ipilimumab (Yervoy)
• Inflectra (Remicade)
• Golimumab (Simponi, Simponi Aria)
• Efalizumab (Raptiva)
• Denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva)
• Daclizumab (Zenapax, Zinbryta)
• Cetuximab (Erbitux)
• Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
• Canakinumab (Ilaris)
• Bezlotoxumab (Zinplava)
• Belimumab (Benlysta)
• Basiliximab (Simulect)
• Alemtuzumab (Campath)
• Alefacept (Amevive)
• Adalimumab (Humira, Amjevita)
• Abciximab (Reopro)

Possible Side-effects of Monoclonal Antibodies

Since monoclonal antibodies are themselves proteins, they can cause an allergic reaction. Some of the possible side-effects of these antibodies are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Weakness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Low blood pressure
• Rashes

Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies

Currently, these are the uses of monoclonal antibodies. Healthcare professionals use them in the treatment of the following:

• Cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Psoriasis
• Transplant rejection
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

In 2020, the US Government’s Food and Drug Administration had approved emergency authorisation to use monoclonal antibodies as a treatment option for COVID-19.

When the monoclonal antibody enters the bloodstream, it attaches to the spike of the COVID-19 virus, and prevents it from entering other cells. Therefore, the rate of reproduction is significantly slowed down.

Some of the names of the drugs that are used are sotrovimab and a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is quite effective for COVID-19. It helps to reduce hospital and emergency department visits.

There are only two types of monoclonal antibodies that are effective against the Omicron variant, and these are sotrovimab and DXP-604.

From the perspective of the UPSC Exam, monoclonal antibodies constitute a very pertinent topic as it is connected with COVID-19. Along those lines, here are other essential queries you can browse through.