How Monoclonal Antibodies Help Fight Cancer

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized how we approach cancer treatment. Once viewed as a theoretical breakthrough, they are now a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy—used in everything from hematologic malignancies to solid tumors. For researchers and clinical developers, understanding how mAbs work—and how to optimize them—is key to advancing cancer care and therapeutic pipelines.

Article Summary

• Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have reshaped the landscape of cancer treatment. Once a theoretical concept, they now serve as one of oncology’s most effective precision tools—targeting cancer cells with remarkable specificity.
• This post explores how monoclonal antibodies work, how they’re used in cancer immunotherapy, and where innovation is heading next—from bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to AI-guided antibody design.
• Researchers, scientists, and therapeutic developers will find insights into the mechanisms, safety, and emerging potential of mAbs—along with resources to advance custom antibody workflows.

Table of Contents

• What are monoclonal antibodies and how do they work?
• How are cancers treated with monoclonal antibodies?
• What cancers are treated with monoclonal antibodies?
• Are monoclonal antibodies safe?
• What is the future of mAbs in cancer immunotherapy?

What are monoclonal antibodies and how do they work? 

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-engineered proteins designed to mimic the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy specific targets, such as cancer cells. Derived from a single clone of immune cells, mAbs offer targeted therapeutic precision unmatched by many traditional treatments. 

How are cancers treated with monoclonal antibodies?  

Cancers are treated with monoclonal antibodies alongside a variety of other treatments in several ways, including: 

• Direct Targeting: Binding to antigens on cancer cells to block growth signals or induce cell death
• ADCC (Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity): Recruiting immune cells to kill targeted tumor cells
• Checkpoint Inhibition: Blocking proteins like PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 to release the brakes on the immune system
• Payload Delivery: Acting as a carrier for cytotoxic agents in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), delivering chemotherapy directly to tumor sites
• A variety of other modalities¹ 

What cancers are treated with monoclonal antibodies? 

A variety of cancers are treated with monoclonal antibodies, with FDA-approved options and ongoing clinical trials expanding their reach every year. Some cancers that are treated with monoclonal antibodies include breast, colorectal, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer, sarcoma, and more.² 

Are monoclonal antibodies safe? 

Monoclonal antibodies are approved for use in humans and animals by the FDA.³ They are one of the most precisely targeted cancer therapies currently used in a clinical setting. However, like all biologics, they can have adverse side effects or complications, and each situation is unique.⁴ 

As our understanding of tumor biology grows, so does the complexity and utility of these engineered antibodies and treatment. 

What is the future of mAbs in cancer immunotherapy? 

The next generation of monoclonal antibodies is already emerging in labs and clinical trials, including use of: 

• Advancements in antibody production methods including DNA sequence design and optimization, recombinant DNA cloning, transfection into mammalian cells, protein expression, and purification and analytical characterization⁵
• Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) that link T cells directly to cancer cells > Learn more
• Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with tunable payloads and release mechanisms > Learn more
• Personalized mAbs generated from patient-specific tumor profiles > Learn more
• AI-assisted screening for rapid target discovery and affinity optimization > Learn more

For our field, the path forward lies in building better antibodies—smarter, faster, and more personalized. Monoclonal antibodies are also utilized as a new approach methodology (NAM). 

Combined with advances in gene editing, mRNA platforms, and next-gen sequencing, monoclonal antibody development is entering a golden era of therapeutic precision. 

Ready to take the next step in monoclonal antibody development? 

Explore how Thermo Fisher Scientific supports custom mAB workflows from screening to scale-up. Download our whitepaper to learn more.

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Citations

1. Zahavi D, Weiner L. Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy. Antibodies (Basel). 2020 Jul 20;9(3):34. doi: 10.3390/antib9030034. PMID: 32698317; PMCID: PMC7551545.
2. Zahavi D, Weiner L. Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy. Antibodies (Basel). 2020 Jul 20;9(3):34. doi: 10.3390/antib9030034. PMID: 32698317; PMCID: PMC7551545.
3. The Antibody Society. (n.d.). Approved antibodies. Retrieved October 2, 2025, from https://www.antibodysociety.org/resources/approved-antibodies/
4. Hansel TT, Kropshofer H, Singer T, Mitchell JA, George AJ. The safety and side effects of monoclonal antibodies. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2010 Apr;9(4):325-38. doi: 10.1038/nrd3003. Epub 2010 Mar 22. PMID: 20305665.
5. Tian, Z., Liu, M., Zhang, Y. et al. Bispecific T cell engagers: an emerging therapy for management of hematologic malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 14, 75 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-021-01084-4