General Info

• A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory produced molecule. This molecule is designed to attach itself to certain defects on the cancer cells.
  
  

Immune System

• Antibody treatment makes the cancer cells much more visible to your immune system. The immune system does not always see cancer cells as enemies, but the antibody treatment helps the immune system to find the cancer cells.
  
  

Growth

• According to the Mayo Clinic staff, there are chemicals called growth factors that attach to the cancer cells. These chemicals encourage the cancer cells to reproduce. Antibodies help to block the receptors on the cancer cells; this way the growth factors do not attach, and the cancer cells are not ordered to grow.
  
  

With Radiation

• Radioactive particles can be attached to the antibody treatments. This way, doctors are able to deliver the radiation therapy directly to the cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.
  
  

Side Effects

• There are many side effects of antibody treatments. These side effects include allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms.