Monoclonal Antibodies

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies (also called moAbs or mAbs) are treatments that help your immune system fight diseases or block proteins that cause diseases. They’re made up of many copies (clones) of a single antibody that recognize a specific target. Scientists make monoclonal antibodies in a lab.

Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system. They seek out specific targets and stick to them. This prevents their function and/or allows your immune cells to destroy the cells the targets are attached to.

What diseases can monoclonal antibodies treat?

Monoclonal antibodies are most often used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. But they’re also used to treat:

• Asthma and allergies
• Eye conditions
• High cholesterol
• Neurological conditions
• Migraines
• Osteoporosis
• Some infections, including RSV and Ebola

Scientists also use monoclonal antibodies in medical research and testing.

How do monoclonal antibody treatments work?

Monoclonal antibody treatments work in different ways, depending on what they’re designed to treat. They can:

• Mark cells so that your immune system knows to destroy them
• Cause cancer cells to die
• Block proteins that cancer cells need to grow
• Block blood vessel growth to cancer cells
• Block proteins that cause inflammation or disease
• Slow down (suppress) your immune system so it doesn’t attack your body or a transplanted organ
• Be used to deliver radiation or chemotherapy directly to a target

What happens during monoclonal antibody treatment?

You’ll receive monoclonal antibodies through an IV in a vein. A healthcare provider will monitor you for any signs of reaction or side effects to the treatment. How often and how long you’ll need the treatment depends on what you’re being treated for.

In some cases, your healthcare provider might also prescribe a monoclonal antibody that’s injected under your skin (subcutaneous). A provider might give it to you at the hospital. Or they’ll teach you how to give yourself a shot, usually in your belly or upper thigh.

What are the potential benefits of monoclonal antibodies?

The main benefit of monoclonal antibody treatments is that they’re made to attach to a very specific target. This can mean fewer side effects than other treatments.

What are the disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies?

Some monoclonal antibodies are designed to suppress your immune system, which may make you less able to fight off germs. Many “rev up” your immune system, which can cause unwanted and sometimes serious side effects, or infusion reactions. These include:

• Allergic reactions
• Anaphylaxis
• Cytokine release syndrome
• Serum sickness

Common signs of infusion reactions include:

• Rash
• Fever
• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Blood pressure changes
• Racing heart

Your provider may slow down the infusion or reduce the dose to avoid infusion reactions.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Talk to your healthcare provider about what kind of side effects or reactions to look out for. Call them or go to the emergency room if you’re having an unexpected reaction after monoclonal antibody treatment.

Are monoclonal antibodies chemotherapy?

No, monoclonal antibody treatments aren’t what people typically think of as chemotherapy. They’re often called biologics, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, depending on how they work.