| has gloss | eng: Humanized antibodies are those whose protein sequences have been modified to increase their similarity to antibody variants produced naturally in humans. The process of "humanization" is usually applied to monoclonal antibodies developed for administration to humans (for example, antibodies developed as anti-cancer drugs). Humanization can be necessary when the process of developing a specific antibody involves generation in a non-human immune system (such as that in mice). The protein sequences of antibodies produced in this way are partially distinct from homologous antibodies occurring naturally in humans, and are therefore potentially immunogenic when administered to human patients (see also HAMA). Not all monoclonal antibodies designed for human administration need be fully humanized since many therapies are short-term interventions (see list in combination with nomenclature to get an overview of the various types of antibodies developed for therapeutic administration in humans). |
