What is the difference between a therapeutic and a diagnostic antibody?
– A therapeutic antibody is a type of monoclonal antibody that is used to treat diseases or conditions by targeting specific molecules or cells in the body.
– A diagnostic antibody is a type of monoclonal antibody that is used to detect the presence or absence of specific antigens or antibodies in a sample, such as blood, urine, or tissue.
▶️ a) Therapeutic antibodies can have various mechanisms of action, such as delivering drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances to specific targets, blocking or stimulating the activity of certain molecules that regulate the immune system, or killing infected or cancerous cells directly. Therapeutic antibodies can be used to treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases.
▶️ b) Diagnostic antibodies can have various applications, such as pregnancy tests, blood typing, infection testing, cancer screening, and immunological monitoring. Diagnostic antibodies can be used to identify the type of blood cells, bacteria, viruses, or cancer cells in a sample, or to measure the level of hormones, cytokines, or antibodies in the body.
Can haptens cause allergic reactions?
– Yes, haptens can cause allergic reactions. Haptens are small molecules that can bind to proteins in the body and form hapten-protein complexes. These complexes can be recognized as foreign by the immune system and trigger an immune response. The immune response can result in inflammation, tissue damage, and symptoms such as itching, rash, swelling, or anaphylaxis. Some examples of haptens that can cause allergic reactions are drugs, metals, cosmetics, and plant toxins.
Can antibodies be used as drugs or therapies?
– Yes, antibodies can be used as drugs or therapies. Antibodies are proteins that can bind to specific targets on the surface of cells or molecules and modulate their function. Antibodies can be used to treat various diseases by delivering drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances to specific targets, blocking or stimulating the activity of certain molecules that regulate the immune system, or killing infected or cancerous cells directly.
– Some examples of diseases that can be treated with antibodies are cancer, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases.
