Monoclonal antibodies
Therapeutic antibodies form a relatively new drug class that has only been made possible by modern biotechnology. Antibodies are components of the immune system. They identify foreign structures in the body – e.g. molecules on the surface of body cells, bacteria or viruses – and mark them out for elimination by the immune system. There are several classes of antibodies, each of which has a different function. IgG antibodies are the most abundant. These Y-shaped proteins bear two identical regions on their two short arms that identify a specific foreign structure. The long stem of the molecule interacts with other components of the immune system, which ultimately initiate destruction of the intruders.

Bioengineered monoclonal antibodies are already being used to treat the following diseases:

• Breast cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)
• Lung cancer
• Colon cancer
• Blood cancer
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Transplantation therapy (organ rejection)

Diagnostic tests with biotech-based components are used to test for:

• Blood sugar
• Heart attack
• Bone metabolism