1.
6-7 - Worksheet
IMonoclonal Antibody Production
A lymphocyte can divide several times to make clones of itself. But once it starts to make antibodies, it
becomes a B lymphocyte and can’t divide anymore .
To get round this problem in a laboratory, a B lymphocyte is fused with a cancer cell. This creates a
hybridoma.
Detergent is added to the mixture to break
down cell-surface membranes of both cells
to help them fuse.
The fused cells are separated and cultured to form a group (clone).
Those producing the required antibody are grown on a large scale and antibodies extracted from the
growth medium.
These antibodies have come from cells cloned from a single cell and are called monoclonal antibodies.
1. Why do scientists use antibodies?
Scientists use antibodies for biomedical research because they have a unique
ability to be able to identify and stick to specific proteins. Also monoclonal antibodies
can be modified to bind specifically with these antigens.
2. Why are cancer cells used?
Cancer cells can be used as monoclonal antibodies can mark cancer cells in
order for the immune system recognise and destroy them easily.
3. When detergent is added to the cells, the mixture is gently agitated. Suggest why.
To ensure the B cells and tumour cells repeatedly come into physical contact-essential if
they are to fuse
4. What risk would be associated with injecting monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas into humans?
brief pain, bleeding, bruising, soreness, swelling, or possible infection at the site of
infusion
1.6-7 - Worksheet
Ethical Issues of using Monoclonal Antibodies
The development of monoclonal antibodies has provided society with the power and
opportunity to treat diseases. However with this power and opportunity comes
responsibility. The use of monoclonal antibodies raises some ethical issues.
- Production involves the use of mice. These mice are used to produce both antibodies and
tumour cells. The production of tumour cells involves deliberately inducing cancer in mice.
Despite specific guidelines drawn up to minimise any suffering, some people still have
reservations about using animals in this way.
- To eliminate the need for humanisation of the antibody, transgenic mice can be used. In
this case, a human gene is placed in the mice to that they can produce human antibodies
rather than mouse antibodies. This raises the whole debate surrounding the ethics of
genetic engineering.
- Monoclonal antibodies have been used successfully to treat a number of diseases,
including cancer and diabetes, saving many lives. There have also been some deaths
associated with their use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
- Testing for the safety of new drugs presents certain dangers. In march 2006, six healthy
volunteers took part in the trial of new monoclonal antibody (TGN1412) in London. Within
minutes they suffered multiple organ failure, probably as a result of T cells overproducing
chemicals that stimulate an immune response or attacking the body tissues. All the
volunteers survived, but it raises issues about the conduct of drug trials. (Link to topic 3.11)
Society must use the issues raised here, combined with current scientific knowledge about
monoclonal antibodies, to make decisions about their production and use. We must
balance the advantages that a new medicine provides with the dangers that its production
and use might bring. Only then can we make informed decisions at an individual, local,
national, and global level about the ethical use of drugs such as monoclonal antibodies.
Q1. Another way to eliminate the need for humanisation would be to inject humans with an
antigen and then extract the antibodies produced to it. Suggest reasons why this is considered
unethical.
Q2. Should trials be limited to volunteers who are terminally ill with a condition that they
monoclonal antibody is designed to treat?
