Table 1.
Adapted list of monoclonal antibodies approved by FDA for cancer treatment
| Active ingredient | Drug’s name (year of FDA approval) | Indications | Structure | Company | Mechanism of action | Important adverse events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alemtuzumab | Campath (2001) | CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) | Humanized IgG1 kappa | Genzyme Corporation | CD 52 binding, which leads to antibody-dependent lysis of leukemic cells | Infusion-related events (bronchospasm, rash, hypotension), immune-mediated diseases |
| Bevacizumab | Avastin (2004) | As part of combination therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer and HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer | Humanized IgG1 | Genentech Inc. | Decrease blood vessel proliferation by binding to VEGF (prevent interaction of VEGF with its receptors Flt-1, KDR) | Bleeding, rash, gastrointestinal perforation, allergic reactions, increased risk of infections |
| Cetuximab | Erbitux (2004) | EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal carcinoma | Chimeric IgG1 | Bristol-Myers Squibb (USA), Merck (EU) | Inhibit cell growth, induct apoptosis, reduce production of VEGF, by binding to epidermal growth factor receptors | Acne-like rash, photosensitivity, hypomagnesemia, infusion-related reactions |
| Gemtuzumab ozogamicin | Mylotarg (2017) | CD-33 positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) | Humanized IgG4 | Wyeth Pharms Inc. | CD-33 directed antibody-drug conjugate | Hepatotoxicity, haemorrhage, embryo-fetal toxicity |
| Ipilimumab | Yervoy (2011) | Unresectable or metastatic melanoma | Humanized IgG1 | Bristol-Myers Squibb | CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4) blocking antibody | Immune-related adverse events |
| Ofatumumab | Arzerra (2009) | CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) | Human IgG1 | Novartis | Antibody to CD20 protein | Respiratory infections, anaemia, neutropenia, rash |
| Panitumumab | Vectibix (2006) | Metastatic colorectal cancer | Human IgG2 | Amgen | EGFR binding antibody | Skin rash, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, fever, hypomagnesemia |
| Pembrolizumab | Keytruda (2014) | Melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma | Humanized IgG4 kappa | Merck | PD-1 (programmed cell death-1) blocking antibody | Immune-related adverse events |
| Rituximab | Rituxan (1997) | CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma | Chimeric IgG1 | Genentech | Cell lysis, by binding to CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes | Skin rash, low blood pressure, hair loss, fatigue, cytokine release syndrome |
| Trastuzumab | Herceptin (1998) | HER2-positive breast cancer | Humanized IgG1 | Genentech | HER2 (c-erb82) binding antibody | Nausea, diarrhoea, cardiac dysfunction (congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy) |
| Avelumab | Bavencio (2017) | Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) | Human IgG1 lambda | AMD Serono | PD-L1 (programmed death ligand-1) blocking antibody | Immune-mediated diseases |
| Durvalumab | Imfinzi (2017) | Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma | Human IgG1 kappa | AstraZeneca | PD-L1 (programmed death ligand-1) blocking antibody | Immune-mediated diseases |
| Brentuximab vedotin | Adcetris (2011) | Hodgkin lymphoma, systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) | Chimeric IgG1 | Seattle Genetics | CD30 antibody with MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E), which disrupts microtubule network in the cell | Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, fatigue, nausea, anaemia, fever |