Researched
Monoclonal antibodies
Köhler and Milstein's hybridoma (1975) produced single antibodies to order, the basis of many cancer, autoimmune and antiviral drugs.
Open in the interactive tree →Georges Köhler and César Milstein fused antibody-producing B cells with immortal tumour cells in 1975, creating cell lines that make unlimited amounts of one pure antibody (Nobel Prize 1984). The first therapeutic monoclonal antibody was approved in 1986. Antibody drugs now treat cancer, autoimmune disease, RSV and even Alzheimer's disease, and are among the best-selling medicines.
Prerequisites
- Vaccination1796
- Cell theory1838
- Antibodies and serum therapy1890Lab-made antibodies build on the antibody science that began with serum therapy
- Cell culture and HeLa cells1951Hybridoma cells must be grown and kept alive in culture to make antibodies
Unlocks
- Checkpoint Immunotherapy2014–2018Checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies
- Alzheimer's antibody drugs2023
- RSV Vaccines & Antibodies2023The RSV antibody drugs are monoclonal antibodies
- Alzheimer's and brain declineopenThe first disease-modifying Alzheimer's drugs are antibodies