Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory produced antibodies used to help the immune system target and destroy cancer cells. They are used in cancer to prevent tumor growth. There are now many of the market to be used. These are designed in many ways for the immune system to attack cancer. These actually flag cancer cells so the immune system can recognize them
Different classes of monoclonal antibodies have different mechanisms. This therapy can be very expensive to the insurance company. Some are not covered and then expensive to the patient
There are fewer side effects than some of the chemotherapy. I utilize a test in my office which the patient pays the lab directly and mails the sample. It is a chemo sensitivity test. This tells the patient and their oncologist which chemotherapy and which monoclonal antibody is correct for their cancer. It is not a widely accepted and utilized test, but I feel has valuable information
Until tomorrow…