What Is Monoclonal Antibody Therapy?
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses antibodies to target and destroy cancer cells. Antibodies are proteins that recognize and bind to specific molecules, called antigens. Cancer cells often have unique antigens on their surface that can be recognized by specific antibodies.
Monoclonal antibody therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of cancers, including breast, colon, lung, and ovarian cancer. It can also be used to treat certain blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is generally well tolerated and has few side effects. It is often used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What are the types of monoclonal antibodies?
There are four main types of monoclonal antibodies:
CD20 antibodies: CD20 is a protein that is found on the surface of B cells, a type of white blood cell. B cells are important for the immune response, but they can also become cancerous. CD20 antibodies are used to treat certain blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
EGFR antibodies: EGFR is a protein that is found on the surface of many types of cells, including cancer cells. EGFR antibodies are used to treat several types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colon cancer.
HER2 antibodies: HER2 is a protein that is found on the surface of some breast cancer cells. HER2 antibodies are used to treat breast cancer that is HER2 positive.
VEGF antibodies: VEGF is a protein that is involved in the growth of new blood vessels. VEGF antibodies are used to treat several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and lung cancer.
What are the side effects of monoclonal antibody therapy?
Monoclonal antibody therapy is generally well tolerated and has few side effects. The most common side effects are fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.
Monoclonal antibody therapy can also cause infusion-related reactions, such as fever, chills, and low blood pressure. These reactions usually occur during or immediately after the infusion of the antibody.
In rare cases, monoclonal antibody therapy can cause a serious condition called capillary leak syndrome. This condition can cause fluid to leak out of blood vessels, resulting in low blood pressure and organ failure.
What is the outlook for people with cancer who receive monoclonal antibody therapy?
Monoclonal antibody therapy can be an effective treatment for many people with cancer. It can often be used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The outlook for people with cancer who receive monoclonal antibody therapy depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s overall health.