Final answer:
A conjugated monoclonal antibody is a monoclonal antibody linked to another substance, such as a radioactive particle, drug, or toxin. They target specific cells and are commonly used in cancer treatment. Their use in infectious disease treatment is limited due to specificity and cost concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A conjugated monoclonal antibody (conjugated mAb) is a type of monoclonal antibody (mAb) that has been chemically linked to another substance, which can be a radioactive particle, a chemotherapeutic drug, or a toxin. These mAbs are highly specific, as they are produced by a single clone of B-cells and recognize a single epitope of an antigen. Their design allows them to target specific cells, like cancer cells, without affecting nearby healthy cells.
Conjugated monoclonal antibodies have found extensive use in the treatment of certain types of cancers due to their specificity and the ability to minimize side effects. For instance, Herceptin, a humanized monoclonal antibody drug, has shown efficacy in treating breast cancer. While monoclonal antibodies have been explored for the treatment of infectious diseases, practical and cost challenges have so far limited their widespread use in this area.
The answer to the multiple-choice question: A conjugated monoclonal antibody (conjugated mAb): a) Contains only a single type of antibody, is false since it comprises an antibody linked to another substance; b) Is linked to a radioactive substance, can be true if it describes a radioimmunoconjugate; c) Is derived from human plasma, is false as it's produced using cell culture techniques; and d) Is used to treat bacterial infections, is false as it's primarily used for cancer treatment and has limited use in infectious diseases due to specificity and cost issues.