What is the main role of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment?

Monoclonal antibodies play a crucial role in cancer treatment primarily by binding to specific markers, or antigens, found on the surface of cancer cells. This binding process enhances the visibility of these cells to the immune system, allowing for a more targeted immune response against the tumor. By attaching to the cancer cell markers, monoclonal antibodies facilitate the recognition of these cells by immune cells, such as T-cells and natural killer cells, which can then mount an attack on the tumor. This mechanism helps in improving the effectiveness of immune-based cancer therapies and can also facilitate the delivery of cytotoxic drugs or radioisotopes directly to the cancer cells.

In contrast, while monoclonal antibodies can indirectly contribute to tumor cell death through the immune system, their primary function is related to the identification and targeting of cancer cells rather than directly killing them. Thus, the main role of these therapeutic agents is to enhance the visibility of the cancer cells for immune detection and response.