Infliximab

Definition

Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. It is a key term in the context of understanding polyclonal and monoclonal antibody production, as it represents an example of a clinically important monoclonal antibody drug.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to and neutralizes the pro-inflammatory cytokine, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α).
2. It is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.
3. Infliximab is produced using hybridoma technology, which involves the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with antibody-producing B cells from an immunized animal.
4. The chimeric nature of infliximab, with both human and mouse components, helps to reduce the risk of immune reactions compared to fully murine monoclonal antibodies.
5. Infliximab's mechanism of action involves binding to and neutralizing soluble and membrane-bound TNF-α, thereby reducing inflammation and immune-mediated tissue damage.

Review Questions

• Explain how infliximab, as a monoclonal antibody, is produced using hybridoma technology.
  • Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody produced using hybridoma technology, which involves the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with antibody-producing B cells from an animal immunized with the target antigen, in this case, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α). The resulting hybridoma cells are able to continuously produce the desired monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to and neutralizes TNF-α. This process allows for the large-scale production of a homogeneous population of antibodies with a single specificity, which is a key advantage of monoclonal antibody technology.
• Describe the clinical applications of infliximab and how its mechanism of action relates to its therapeutic use.
  • Infliximab is approved for the treatment of several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. Its mechanism of action involves binding to and neutralizing both soluble and membrane-bound Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. By inhibiting TNF-α, infliximab reduces inflammation and immune-mediated tissue damage, thereby alleviating the symptoms and progression of these diseases. The chimeric nature of infliximab, with both human and mouse components, helps to reduce the risk of immune reactions compared to fully murine monoclonal antibodies.
• Analyze the significance of infliximab as an example of a clinically important monoclonal antibody and its impact on the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
  • Infliximab is a highly significant example of a clinically important monoclonal antibody due to its widespread use and therapeutic impact in the management of various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. As a targeted biologic therapy, infliximab has revolutionized the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis, providing effective and often life-changing relief for patients. The development of infliximab and other monoclonal antibody therapies has demonstrated the power of this technology to selectively target key pathogenic mechanisms, such as the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, and modulate the immune system in a way that leads to significant clinical benefits. The success of infliximab has also paved the way for the continued exploration and advancement of monoclonal antibody-based therapies, which have the potential to transform the management of a wide range of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.

Related terms

Monoclonal Antibodies: Antibodies derived from a single B cell clone, produced through hybridoma technology, that recognize a specific epitope on an antigen.

Hybridoma: A cell line created by fusing an antibody-producing B cell with an immortal myeloma cell, allowing for the continuous production of a specific monoclonal antibody.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α): A pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and is the primary target of infliximab.