23.02.2.1. Monoclonal Antibody Nomenclature

The suffix ending on the name of a monoclonal antibody gives an indication into the nature of the molecule. Original monoclonal antibodies were derived from mouse tissues and have an -omab suffix (for example Ibrutumomab tiuexetan) whereas chimeric monoclonal antibodies, which have an -ximab suffix (infliximab) are derived from mouse antibodies with human sequences inserted to reduce immunogenicity. Humanised monoclonal antibodies, in which human antibodies have mouse domains grafted onto them, have a –zumab suffix (trastuzumab) whilst unmodified human monoclonal antibodies have an –umab ending (adalimumab).