Monoclonal antibodies attaching to antigens on a cancer cell are shown in the diagram below - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 35 - 2020 - Paper 1

Monoclonal antibodies are specifically designed to target antigens on cancer cells. Their role in cancer treatment includes suppressing B cells that may promote cancer cell growth and helping the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Additionally, they facilitate the detection of cancer cells by the immune system. They can also bind to dendritic cells, thereby stimulating these cells to initiate a robust immune response against the cancer cells, enhancing the body's ability to fight the disease.

Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies have the capability to bind to various proteins present on the surface of cancer cells, thereby allowing for targeted therapy, which minimizes damage to normal cells while effectively attacking the cancerous ones.