Afucosylated monoclonal antibodies

Afucosylated Monoclonal Antibodies are a type of monoclonal antibody that have been modified to lack a specific sugar molecule, fucose. This modification enhances the ability of these antibodies to bind to Fc receptors on immune cells, thereby increasing their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and improving their therapeutic efficacy.

Structure and Function

Like all monoclonal antibodies, afucosylated monoclonal antibodies are composed of two heavy chains and two light chains. The heavy chains contain a region known as the Fc region, which is responsible for binding to Fc receptors on immune cells. In normal monoclonal antibodies, the Fc region contains a sugar molecule called fucose. However, in afucosylated monoclonal antibodies, this fucose molecule is removed, resulting in a higher affinity for Fc receptors and enhanced ADCC.

Therapeutic Use

Afucosylated monoclonal antibodies have been developed for use in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. By enhancing the ability of the antibodies to bind to Fc receptors and trigger ADCC, these modified antibodies can more effectively target and destroy disease cells.

For example, the afucosylated monoclonal antibody Mogamulizumab is used in the treatment of certain types of lymphoma. It targets a protein called CCR4, which is often overexpressed on the surface of lymphoma cells. By binding to CCR4, mogamulizumab triggers the immune system to destroy the lymphoma cells.

Production

Afucosylated monoclonal antibodies are produced using similar methods to other monoclonal antibodies. However, the production process is modified to prevent the addition of fucose to the Fc region of the antibodies. This can be achieved by using specific cell lines that lack the enzyme necessary for adding fucose, or by adding inhibitors of this enzyme to the culture medium.

See Also

• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
• Fc Receptors
• Mogamulizumab