Molecular features
Genetic engineering techniques have allowed the creation of antibodies incorporating selected human and murine characteristics to optimise specific anti-tumour activity and enhance tolerability. Chimeric antibodies combine the Fab (antigen-binding) region of the mouse antibody, allowing effective binding to the target antigen, with the Fc (constant region) portion of the human antibody, which interacts with human effector mechanisms to kill the target cells. MabThera is a chimeric antibody targeted against the B-cell-specific CD20 antigen, found on normal and >90% of NHL malignant B-cells1,2,3,4. It is the first monoclonal antibody licensed for treatment of NHL.
References
- Anderson KC, et al. Blood 1984; 63: 1424-1433.
- Demidem A, et al. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 1997; 12: 177-186.
- Maloney DG, et al. Blood 1994; 84: 2457-2466.
- Nadler LM, et al. J Clin Invest 1981; 67: 134-140.
- Reff ME, et al. Blood 1994; 83: 435-445.
