Final answer:
Adalimumab and Infliximab are monoclonal antibodies used to treat autoimmune diseases and as part of cancer immunotherapy. They inhibit inflammatory molecules and target specific antigens on diseased cells. These medications represent important developments in targeted therapies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adalimumab and Infliximab Medications
Adalimumab and Infliximab are types of medications known as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). These drugs are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and in certain cancer therapies as part of immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies have a high specificity and affinity for particular antigens, making them effective in targeting diseased cells. In autoimmune diseases, they work by inhibiting inflammatory molecules or the receptors for these molecules, effectively reducing inflammation and autoimmunity. They are also used in cancer treatment where they can bind to specific cell-surface antigens on cancer cells, helping the immune system to recognize and destroy these cells, or by interfering with the signaling pathways of the cancer cells.
The therapeutic application of monoclonal antibodies includes various mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis in targeted cells, increased phagocytosis by macrophages, and modulation of cellular signaling pathways. This contributes to the anticancer responses achieved in treatments for cancers like Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) where immunotherapy is an integral part of the treatment protocol.
Given their utility in both autoimmune disease management and cancer treatment, adalimumab and infliximab represent significant advancements in targeted therapeutic approaches with the potential to reduce adverse effects and improve clinical outcomes.