What diseases are being treated with monoclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including:

Cancers: Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat various cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. They work by targeting specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells and either blocking their growth or activating the immune system to attack them.

Inflammatory diseases: Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis. They work by targeting specific proteins involved in the inflammatory process and blocking their activity, thereby reducing inflammation and disease symptoms.

Autoimmune diseases: Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat autoimmune diseases in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Examples include multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and immune thrombocytopenia. Monoclonal antibodies work by targeting and neutralizing specific immune cells or molecules involved in the disease process.

Infections: Monoclonal antibodies are used to prevent or treat certain viral and bacterial infections. For example, they are used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in transplant patients and to treat severe cases of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies work by neutralizing the pathogen, preventing it from infecting cells or blocking its replication.

It's important to note that the specific monoclonal antibody used for treatment depends on the disease being targeted. Monoclonal antibodies are continually being developed and studied for use in treating a variety of diseases and conditions.