Monoclonal antibodies work by what mechanism?

• A. Targeted immune modulation.
• B. Broad immunosuppression.
• C. Non-specific cytotoxicity.
• D. Enzymatic degradation of cytokines.

Answer: (A)

Monoclonal antibodies work by binding a single, specific antigen and modulating the immune response or neutralizing the target. This precise, targeted interaction can block receptor signaling, neutralize a pathogenic factor, or tag the target for immune effector mechanisms like ADCC or complement. Because the action is specific to one antigen, it avoids broad immunosuppression that dampens the entire immune system. It also is not achieved by non-specific cytotoxicity, which would damage many cells indiscriminately. Enzymatic degradation of cytokines isn’t the typical mode of action for these antibodies; they usually neutralize cytokines by binding them rather than breaking them down enzymatically.