You are here
Monoclonal antibodies
In oncology, it has been shown that antibodies specifically recognise cancerous cells. Monoclonal antibodies are synthesised artificially by genetic engineering from a single strain of lymphocytes. This synthesis makes it possible to target certain specific elements (antigens) in cancerous cells. They were initially used to treat leukaemia and lymphomas, used alone or in association with other treatments (chemotherapy).
Since the number of antibodies that can be synthesised is potentially infinite, the scope of therapeutic application widens every year: it is extending to other cancers and other noncancerous diseases. Monoclonal antibodies can be developed to treat a disease directly or for the targeted delivery of other curative substances.