# Explain how monoclonal antibodies can be used to deliver a drug directly to cancer cells, and why this method is more effective than giving the drug on its own.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.2.4 Cell Recognition and the Immune System · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Monoclonal antibodies are specific to / complementary to antigens on the cancer cell surface
2. The drug is attached to / carried by the monoclonal antibody
3. The monoclonal antibody binds to the cancer cell (so delivers the drug directly to the cancer cell)
4. Healthy / normal cells are not targeted / damaged
5. This reduces side effects compared to giving the drug alone (which would affect the whole body / non-specific)

## Key terms

- [monoclonal antibodies](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/monoclonal-antibodies)
- [cancer cells](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cancer-cells)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-monoclonal-antibodies-can-be-edb9ad53) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.