Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are classified as what type of therapy?

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are classified as biotherapy because they are derived from living cells and are designed to interact with specific targets in the body, such as cancer cells or immune system components. The mechanism of action for MoAbs typically involves binding to specific antigens on the surface of target cells, which can trigger various immune responses or deliver cytotoxic agents directly to the cancer cells.

Biotherapy encompasses a wide range of treatments that utilize biological agents or living organisms to treat disease, particularly cancer. This includes not only monoclonal antibodies but also other immune-based therapies, vaccines, and cytokines. The concept behind biotherapy is to harness the body’s own biological mechanisms to fight disease.

In contrast, targeted therapy refers specifically to drugs designed to precisely target molecular changes in cancer cells, and while monoclonal antibodies can function as targeted therapies, the broader classification leans towards biotherapy. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells, which is distinctly different from the action of monoclonal antibodies. Chemotherapy generally refers to the use of drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells and does not encompass the biological nature and specificity of monoclonal antibodies. Thus, classifying monoclonal antibodies