Immune7 - Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

4 ways monoclonal antibodies can work

Signalling
Cell Death
Internalisation
T Cells

Answer 1

1. ) Signalling - bind to cell surface receptors to either:
   - activate or inhibits signalling within the cell
2. ) Cell Death - bind to surface receptors to activate:
   - antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity ADCC
   - complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC)
3. ) Internalisation - taken in by the cell
   - antibodies deliver toxins into the cancer cells

4.) T Cell - blocks the inhibitory effects on T cells

Question 2

5 features of lymphoma

What is It? 
Symptoms 
Types x2
Diagnosis
Treatment x4

Answer 2

1. ) What is It? - clonal proliferations of lymphoid cells
   - mainly in the spleen and bone marrow
   - extranodal: liver, skin, testes, bowel, lungs
2. ) Symptoms - can be asymptomatic or can have:
   - swollen nodes, fever, weight loss, night sweats
3. ) Types: follicular or diffuse large B cell lymphoma
   - follicular: lymph node taken over by small clonal B lymphocytes which retain the follicular pattern
   - B cell: large clonal B lymphocytes in a diffuse pattern

4.) Diagnosis - lymphoma cells express CD20

5. ) Treatments - anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody
   - chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplant

Question 3

3 featues of side effects of monoclonal antibody treatment

Mild Infusion Reaction
Severe Infusion Reaction
Management

Answer 3

1. ) Mild Infusion Reaction - often to the 1st infusion but then they can tolerate the subsequent treatments
   - some may just have mild symptoms e.g. mild fatigue
2. ) Severe Infusion Reaction - occurs due to immune system reacting to the presence of a foreign protein
   - fever, N/V, facial flushing, hypotension, tachycardia
3. ) Management - pre-medication before treatment
   - steroids, anti-histamines, paracetamol
   - start at slow infusion rate