mAb

Also known as: Monoclonal Antibody

A laboratory-produced antibody designed to bind a single epitope of a target protein.

Definition

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) are immunoglobulins engineered to bind one specific epitope on a target protein. Naming convention: -ximab (chimeric), -zumab (humanised), -umab (fully human). Largest drug class by revenue (Humira, Keytruda, Opdivo). Pricing typically £40-100k/year for cancer.

See also

• Mechanism of action — The specific biochemical interaction by which a drug produces its pharmacologic effect.
• ADC — An antibody covalently linked to a cytotoxic payload, delivered selectively to target cells.

Other pharmacology terms

• Mechanism of action
• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• PROTAC
• ADC
• CAR-T