What are the uses for monoclonal antibodies?

The use of monoclonal antibodies to treat diseases is called immunotherapy therapy because each type of monoclonal antibody will target a specific targeted antigen in the body.

Uses for monoclonal antibodies include:

• Cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Psoriasis
• Transplant rejection, and several more conditions

In these conditions the monoclonal antibody targets and interferes with the action of a chemical or receptor that is involved in the development of the condition that is being treated. For example, a monoclonal antibody used for treating cancer may block a receptor that cancer cells use for preventing the immune system from the destroying the cancer cell. Blocking this receptor allows the immune system to recognize cancer cells and destroy them.