What Monoclonal Antibodies Are and What They Are for

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign bodies, which may be bacteria, viruses or even tumor cells. These proteins are specific because they recognize a particular target, the so-called antigen, which will be present in cells foreign to the body. Understand how the immune system works.

Thus, drugs with these proteins, such as Denosumab, Obinutuzumab or Ustequinumab, for example, have in their composition laboratory-produced monoclonal antibodies, often identical to those found in the human body, which will help the body to fight certain diseases. Thus, depending on the monoclonal antibody used, these remedies can be used to treat some serious diseases such as osteoporosis, leukemia, plaque psoriasis or some cancers such as breast or bone cancer, for example.

Remedies with Most Used Monoclonal Antibodies

Some of the most commonly used Monoclonal Antibodies remedies include:

1. Trastuzumab:

Also known commercially as Herceptin, this remedy has in its composition a genetically engineered antibody that specifically attacks a protein that is present in people with certain cancers of the breast and gastric. Thus, this remedy is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer in the initial state or with metastases and advanced gastric cancer.

2. Denosumab:

This medicine is also known commercially as Prolia or Xgeva, and has in its composition the human IgG2 monoclonal antibody, which interferes with the action of a specific protein that makes the bones stronger, reducing the chances of leaving. In this way, Denosumab is indicated for the treatment of loss of bone mass, osteoporosis, bone cancer or advanced cancer with bone metastases (which has spread to the bones).

3. Obinutuzumab:

Also known commercially as Gazyva, it has antibodies in its composition that recognize and bind specifically to the CD20 protein, a protein found on the surface of white blood cells or B lymphocytes. Thus, Obinutuzumab is indicated in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, since it is capable to stop the abnormal growth of white blood cells that causes this disease.

4. Ustequinumab:

This remedy may also be known commercially as Stelara and is composed of the human IgG1 monoclonal antibody, which inhibits specific proteins that are responsible for causing psoriasis. Thus, this remedy is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

5. Pertuzumab:

Also known as Perjeta, it is composed of monoclonal antibodies that bind to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, present in some cancer cells, slowing or stopping their growth. Thus, Perjeta is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer.

How to Take Monoclonal Antibodies

Medications with Monoclonal Antibodies should only be taken under medical indication, as the type of antibody to be used and the recommended doses depend on the problem to be treated and its severity.

In most cases, these drugs are used in the treatment of cancer, in the case of antineoplastic medicines that must be used according to the specific indications given by the doctor and that need to be administered in hospitals or clinics.