What characterizes a chimeric monoclonal antibody?

A chimeric monoclonal antibody is characterized by being composed of both human and mouse antibody components. Specifically, it typically consists of approximately 75% human protein sequences and 25% mouse protein sequences. This design allows the antibody to retain some of the specificity and affinity of mouse antibodies, while also incorporating features that improve its compatibility with the human immune system, reducing the likelihood of an adverse immune response when administered to patients.

This unique blend helps enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing potential side effects associated with fully murine antibodies, which can be more immunogenic. The rationale behind using a chimeric design is to combine the strengths of both species—mouse-derived antibodies can be very effective at binding to specific targets, while human components help in making the resulting treatment less likely to provoke unwanted immune reactions in human patients.

Given this context, it is clear why the choice indicating 75% human and 25% mouse accurately reflects the composition of chimeric monoclonal antibodies.