Anti mABs

[Evans]

I am working on a project and I am trying to understand what seems to be a simple concept but is confusing me as I read more about it and I figured this group could enlighten my understanding.

I understand how mAbs work. However, anti-mAbs are confusing me because I am working on a cancer vaccine project where some studies use immunomodulators in a multicomponent approach to aid vaccine efficacy and others use anti-mAbs as a part of the multicomponent approach.

I think that small molecule inhibitors and anti-mAbs do the same thing. For example, small molecule antagonists bind to a receptor decreasing a particular response to the cell. Lets say the result of this antagonist causes attenuation of an immune response. So if I wanted to use anti-mAbs against the same receptor (via attenating lyphocyte signaling) would this be a method to accomplish the same goal as small molecule inhibitors?

I'm not sure if I truly understand anti mAbs. I would appreciate any help in this matter.

Regards

Evans

[radioheadhead]

Originally Posted by Evans

I think that small molecule inhibitors and anti-mAbs do the same thing. For example, small molecule antagonists bind to a receptor decreasing a particular response to the cell. Lets say the result of this antagonist causes attenuation of an immune response. So if I wanted to use anti-mAbs against the same receptor (via attenating lyphocyte signaling) would this be a method to accomplish the same goal as small molecule inhibitors?

I'm not sure if I truly understand anti mAbs. I would appreciate any help in this matter.

Regards

Evans

Not entirely sure that I understand the question, but you are both correct and incorrect. In the case you describe, yes, it sounds like the mAbs and the small molecule inhibitor are acting at the same 'place', so they are complementary strategies to accomplish the same thing. Keep in mind that many small molecules are designed to cross the cell membrane, and can act on intracellular targets (i.e. lapatinib, gefitinib, etc.) like the cytoplasmic domain of a membrane protein. Abs won't cross the membrane. Also don't forget that different mAbs can be agonistic or antagonistic to many receptors on cells.

Hope this helps!