immunotherapy

Question 1

cancer

Answer 1

a disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation and growth

Question 2

immunosurveilance

Answer 2

the immune system constantly scanning for mutations + malfunctions in cells that could lead to cancer. When this process fails, cancers can develop

Question 3

cancer antigens/tumour associated antigens

Answer 3

changes that transform a normal cell to a cancerous one

Question 4

how do cancer cells hide?

Answer 4

they are genetically unstable and randomly produce variants like preventing expression of TAA’s or secreting immunosuppresive molecules

Question 5

immunotherapy

Answer 5

treats disease that modulates the immune system by either activation immunotherapy (amplifying) or suppression immunotherapy (suppressing)

Question 6

monoclonal antibodies

Answer 6

identical lab made antibodies produced by plasma cell clones

Question 7

how are monoclonal antibodies made?

Answer 7

1. a rat is immunised with a cancer cell antigen
2. the rat produces an immune response
3. the rat produces complimentary plasma b cells which are selected and removed from their spleen.
4. These are fused with a myeloma
5. A hybridoma is formed and is immortal

Question 8

myeloma cells

Answer 8

rapidly dividing cancerous plasma cells - dont die

Question 9

naked monoclonal antibodies

Answer 9

part of activation immunotherapy, do not have any other molecules attached to them

Question 10

naked antibodies mechanisms

Answer 10

1. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity : Monoclonal antibodies attaching to a cancer cell, causing a NK cell to recognise it as foreign and kill it.
2. Complement activation : A monoclonal antibody interacting with a complement protein, initiating the formation of a MAC.
3. Checkpoint inhibition : block immune checkpoints, meaning the immune system is able to function at a greater capacity and destroy cancer cells more easily.

Question 11

conjugated monoclonal antibodies

Answer 11

Are joined to a secondary molecule,
such as a chemotherapy drug or
radioactive molecule

Are used to directly deliver the
anticancer drug or radioactive
molecule to the cancer cells

Question 12

limitations to antibody therapies for cancer

Answer 12

-very expensive
-time consuming
-too specific (cannot target multiple diseases at a time)
-can cause an immune response
-if a mutation occurs in that antigen then the antibodies are not effective
-poor penetration into tumour masses

Question 13

what do monoclonal antibodies do?

Answer 13

D - drug delivery
I - identifying cancer cells
G - growth blocker
A - apoptosis inducer