Antibodies fight off infection by attaching to foreign proteins called antigens to destroy or neutralize them.
First developed in the 1970s, dozens of monoclonal antibody therapies are available today.
Once a successful antibody is produced, researchers then replicateor clonethe antibodies.
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Monoclonal antibodies are extensively tested to ensure purity before they are ready for patient use.
Use for AI Arthritis and Other AI Diseases
Certain diseases are autoimmune in nature.
They cause symptoms because the body mistakenly launches an attack on healthy tissue as if is a harmful invader.
In RA, for example, antibodies attack joint tissue, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
Monoclonal antibodies treat RA by targeting specific proteins involved in this destructive inflammatory process.
Severalcytokineproteins have been identified as contributing to the inflammatory process involved in arthritic and other autoimmune conditions.
Monoclonal antibodies have been developed to target these proteins.
There are at least 40 variants of interleukins involved in the human immune system.
Overproduction of IL-6 is linked to the development of joint pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Monoclonal antibodies known as IL-6 inhibitors are used in the treatment of RA and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Viral Infections
Monoclonal antibodies can be used as passiveimmunotherapy.
They have been used to treatHIV,Ebola, andinfluenza.
Side Effects of Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies can have some seriousside effectsand risks.
Individual side effects can vary from drug to drug, but many are similar.
Don’t let that prevent you from bringing them to your healthcare provider’s attention if you experience them.
A sudden increase in their levels following monoclonal antibody treatment can cause troubling side effects.
Known ascapillaryleak syndrome, this can result in dangerously low blood pressure and lead to multiple organ failure andshock.
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