9.2 Flashcards
(10 cards)
- Define biologics and state how they differ from conventional small-molecule drugs.
Biologics are large, complex molecules (or living cells) derived from natural sources or produced by genetic engineering, whereas small molecules are chemically synthesized, low molecular weight compounds.
- What are some common types of biologics?
Common types include vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins (e.g., insulin), gene therapies, cell-based therapies (e.g., CAR-T cells), and nucleic acid therapeutics (e.g., ASOs, siRNA, mRNA).
- How do the mechanisms of action differ between biologics and small-molecule drugs?
Biologics typically work by binding with high specificity to their targets (e.g., receptors or antigens) to modulate immune responses or signaling pathways, while small molecules often inhibit enzymes or modulate receptors through chemical interaction.
- Describe the mechanism of action for monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies bind specifically to antigens or receptors, neutralizing targets or modulating immune functions, which helps treat conditions such as autoimmune diseases and cancers.
- What are the main challenges associated with biologics?
Challenges include complex manufacturing, high costs, sensitivity to storage/handling (cold-chain required), administration limitations (often injection), and potential immunogenicity.
- How are drug suffixes used to classify biologics?
Drug suffixes like ‘-mab’ indicate monoclonal antibodies and ‘-cept’ denote receptor fusion proteins, helping to identify the drug class and its common therapeutic uses.
- What distinguishes nucleic acid therapeutics from protein-based biologics?
Nucleic acid therapeutics (ASOs, siRNA, mRNA) modulate gene expression at the RNA level, whereas protein-based biologics (e.g., recombinant proteins, antibodies) directly interact with or mimic proteins.
- How are cell-based therapies categorized among biologics?
Cell-based therapies use living cells (often genetically modified) to replace damaged tissues or enhance immune responses, and are classified as biologics due to their complexity and source.
- Why is high drug affinity important for biologics?
High affinity ensures the drug binds effectively to its intended target at low concentrations, improving potency and minimizing off-target effects when combined with selectivity.
- What benefits does drug selectivity provide in biologic therapies?
Selectivity minimizes binding to unintended targets, reducing side effects and enhancing therapeutic efficacy by precisely modulating the desired biological pathway.
