Question

Herceptin cancer fighting antibodies cannot be produced through genetic engineering of bacteria. What is used instead to accomplish this? A. Selecting cells that produce a large amount of Herceptin to reproduce over generations B. Genetically engineered mammalian cells C. Genetically engineered Bacteriophages D. Producing them with chemicals instead of inside cells

Answer 1

B. Genetically engineered mammalian cells

Explanation:

Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody that binds (attach) to specific antigens in cancer cells to destroy them. This antibody is used in the treatment of different types of cancers including breast and gastric carcinoma, in which HER2/neu protein is overexpressed. Herceptin targets HER2/neu receptors present in cancer cells to kill them. HER2/neu is a protein signaling receptor involved in cell proliferation, thereby this antibody works to selectively target cells that have an excess of HER2/neu receptors such as gastric and breast cancer cells.