Higher Cancer Treatment and Pregnancy Test Mechanisms in Detail
Part of Monoclonal Antibodies — GCSE Biology
This higher tier covers Higher Cancer Treatment and Pregnancy Test Mechanisms in Detail within Monoclonal Antibodies for GCSE Biology. Production and medical applications of identical antibodies, hybridoma cells, diagnostics It is section 14 of 17 in this topic. This section is most useful once the core foundation idea is secure, because it adds the detail that pushes answers higher.
Topic position
Section 14 of 17
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
Higher Cancer Treatment and Pregnancy Test Mechanisms in Detail
Cancer treatment strategies using monoclonal antibodies:
- Naked antibodies: Bind to cancer cell surface antigens, blocking growth signals or flagging for immune system destruction (e.g., Herceptin/trastuzumab binds to HER2 receptor on breast cancer cells, blocking growth signals)
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): Antibody carries a highly toxic drug (payload) directly to cancer cells; drug is only released on binding, sparing healthy tissue
- Radioimmunotherapy: Antibody delivers radioactive atoms (radioisotopes) directly to cancer cells, causing localised radiation damage to tumour
- Checkpoint inhibitors: Antibodies that block proteins cancer cells use to "hide" from the immune system (e.g., PD-L1 inhibitors allow T cells to recognise and attack cancer cells)
Pregnancy test lateral flow details: The control line contains anti-species antibodies (antibodies against the Fc region of mouse antibodies, since the test antibodies are produced in mice). Free antibodies always have an exposed Fc region, so they are always captured at the control line regardless of whether hCG was present. One line (control only) = valid negative. Two lines (control + test) = valid positive. No lines = test failed (invalid). This control mechanism ensures false negatives caused by a faulty strip are identified.