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Thinking Critically
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One "experimental" cancer therapy utilizes laboratory-generated antibodies to an individual's own unique cancer cells. Radioisotopes such as alpha-emitting radium 223 are placed in "cages" and attached to the antibodies. When these immunotherapy medications are given to a patient, the short-lived killer isotopes attach to only the cancer cells. They release small amounts of radiation and for short distances; therefore they cause little harm to healthy cells and tissues before their destructive powers are dissipated. Review the material on cell membranes, antibodies, cancer, and radiation and explain the details of this treatment to a friend. (You might explore the Internet for further information.)

You will profit from exploring the Internet in order to gather more information and answer this question. This type of therapy will not be experimental much longer. Try and diagram a pathway for the events described above. What really happens at each point? What problems might be encountered with this type of therapy?








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