Article 2 “Monoclonal Antibody Therapy…” Questions:NO SUMMARY NEEDED

(only need to read the material of pages 613-617)

1. What is the purpose or idea of monoclonal antibody therapy, and what is the concept on why one would use monoclonal antibodies over other drugs (chemotherapy): In other words, what is the advantage to monoclonal antibodies?

• What is CD20 (might have to look this up), and why can it be used as a monoclonal antibody target for specific types of cancer therapy (What cells will be targeted and more importantly which of the same cell types will NOT be targeted?

• What are they mechanisms monoclonal antibodies can work to fight (destroy) a cancer cell?

• What was the first monoclonal antibodies they used for B-Cell Lymphoma (what was the antigen or target), and what were the problems with these? (Why don’t they use it anymore)HINT: Rituximab is the 1^st FDA approved antibody NOT the 1^st clinically used antibody

• What are some potential risks to this type of therapy, as well as what could happen if a patient had a second treatment (exact as the 1^st) years later?  (Not in the article – come up with on your own)