Central Idea
- India has reached out to Australia in its efforts to procure monoclonal antibody doses for combating the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala.
- The monoclonal antibody has successfully passed phase-one trials and has been administered to 14 individuals globally.
Why use it for Nipah?
- Currently, there is no effective treatment for Nipah virus infection apart from symptom relief.
- The virus carries a high mortality rate ranging from 40% to 75%, making it a formidable threat.
- In comparison, even during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the case fatality ratio (CFR) remained at around three percent.
What are Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)?
- Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a class of therapeutic proteins that have revolutionized medicine and healthcare.
- They are used in a wide range of applications, from treating diseases to diagnosing conditions and conducting scientific research.
Structure of mAbs
- Monoclonal antibodies are proteins produced by a single type of immune cell, known as a B cell.
- They are called “monoclonal” because they are derived from a single, cloned parent cell.
- These antibodies have a specific Y-shaped structure consisting of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains.
- The variable region of the antibody binds to a specific antigen with high precision.
Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies
- Monoclonal antibodies have a wide range of applications in medicine, science, and diagnostics:
- MAbs are used to treat various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and more.
- They are used in diagnostic tests, such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), to detect specific molecules like antigens or antibodies.
- Scientists use mAbs to study and manipulate biological processes. They can be labeled with fluorescent markers for imaging and are crucial tools in cell biology and molecular biology research.
- Monoclonal antibodies labelled with radioactive isotopes or fluorescent markers can be used for diagnostic imaging techniques like PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
- They can target specific molecules on cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells during cancer treatment.
Challenges and Advancements
- Despite their significant benefits, monoclonal antibodies can have limitations, such as high production costs and the potential for immune responses.
- Advances in technology, such as the development of humanized antibodies (antibodies with human components to reduce immune reactions), have addressed some of these challenges.
