Question- Consider the following statements about Monoclonal antibodies-
(1) Monoclonal antibodies are artificial antibodies that mimic the activity of our immune systems.
(2) They are produced through a process that involves extracting specific antibodies from human blood and then cloning them.
Select the correct answer using the code given below-
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (c)
Related Facts-
- An experimental monoclonal antibody cocktail, REGEN-COV2, has been found to be a life-saving treatment for some of the most severely affected Covid-19 patients, results of a clinical trial in the UK have shown.
- To fight a viral infection, our bodies create proteins known as antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are artificial antibodies that mimic the activity of our immune systems.
- They are produced through a process that involves extracting specific antibodies from human blood and then cloning them.
- These monoclonal antibodies are designed to target a virus or a specific part of one- for instance, REGEN-COV2 is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies developed to target the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
- The monoclonal antibodies bind to specific parts of the spike protein, blocking its ability to infect healthy cells.
- Besides Covid-19, monoclonal antibodies have been used in the treatment of cancers as well as Ebola and HIV.
- The University of Oxford said last week that its RECOVERY trials found that for hospitalised patients with severe Covid-19 “who have not mounted a natural antibody response of their own”, Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody cocktail reduces the risk of death by a fifth compared to those who had received standard care. “Thus, for every 100 such patients treated with the antibody combination, there would be six fewer deaths.
- REGEN-COV2 is available in India through a tie-up between Swiss drug giant Roche and Indian company Cipla.
- The therapy, a combination of monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, had received the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s restricted emergency use permission in May.
By- Yogesh Pratap Singh
Reference- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-monoclonal-antibodies-covid-7368039/.
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