The example of a monoclonal antibody that is used in medicine that I found is dupilumab. This drug helps relieve symptoms of numerous diseases, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) in adults and children 1 year of age, Prurigo Nodularis (PN) in adults, moderate to severe eczema in adults and children 6 months or older. It also works as an add on maintenance treatment for asthma in adults and children ages 6 months or older, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults and children 12 years of age or older. Eosinophilic Esophagitis, eczema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps’ inheritable conditions, while PN and asthma are not. Although PN and asthma are not considered hereditary, family history with these conditions can play a role in one’s susceptibility to developing these conditions (“Take action”). EoE is an inflammation of the esophagus that is caused by a buildup of white blood cells (“What is eosinophilic esophagitis?”, 2024). PN and eczema are skin conditions which cause intense dryness and itchy bumps, which the bumps are more common in PN. COPD is a lung condition caused by damage to the lungs resulting on inflammation within the airways. Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a nasal condition that causes chronic inflammatory sinus disease, usually it is diagnosed after having nasal congestion and pain that lasts longer than 12 months (“Take action”).

The class of antibody that this monoclonal antibody is, is an IgG. More specifically, it is an IgG4. The drawing of this image is below.

Dupilumab is considered a biologic, which is a type of specialty medicine made from living cells, tissues, and other biological sources and are made to target specific parts of the immune system that is involved in a specific disease. Biologics are effective because they use the same or similar biological processes that naturally occur within our body (“Center for Biologics, 2018). This treatment is most effective when given by injection because it gets processed differently in the body than a topical ointment or oral medication. This medication is an anti-inflammatory drug. This treatment works by blocking two proteins that enhance inflammation that is involved in atopic dermatitis, asthma, prurigo nodularis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis. This treatment is not an immunosuppressant or a steroid. It is a continuous treatment in between symptoms and dupilumab does not treat immediate symptoms or trouble breathing (“Dupixent patient information”).