Types of Biologic Drugs

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)

A monoclonal antibody or mAb is a type of antibody that targets one specific antigen. The mAbs are created by infecting a mouse with the desired antigen to make a cure for. The B-Cells of the mouse then begin to produce different types of antibodies to fight off the antigen. Scientists then remove the B-cells from the mouse’s spleen then fuse them with Myeloma a type of cancer cell. The cells then start to rapidly multiply do to the nature of the cancer cell. These new cells are called hybridomas and all produce different types of antigens. Then scientists split them up and let each type of cell divide on its own. The antibodies created by the hybridomas are each tested to find which one kills the antigen. Once the right antibody is found it is mass produced and filtered to isolate the antibodies for medicine. Monoclonal antibodies are very promising for the treatment of many illnesses. Due to the mAb’s specificity the drug is less likely to cause serious side effects.

Vaccine

A vaccine is a type of drug that helps your body prevent the intrusion of foreign microbes such as viruses. The first vaccine ever used was tested by Edward Jenner in 1796 when he purposely infected a child with Cow Pox (not very harmful) to keep the child from getting the more dangerous illness Small Pox. Vaccines are essentially dead or very weak versions of the actual virus. They are used so that the white blood cells can memorize the specific characteristic of the virus without it making the person sick. Then when the person is exposed to the certain antigen the body knows to destroy it before it can perform its functions.

This graph shows how much each Biologic Drug is used compared to the rest. The most used Biologic Drug types are Vaccines. They prepare the body to fight any oncoming diseases by having antibodies at its disposal. This keeps the immune system on its feet at all times.

This video provides a nice summary to how Monoclonal Antibodies are made.

mAb