Antineoplastic monoclonal antibodies
Intravenous antibodies that bind one molecule on cancer cells or their blood supply (HER2, CD20, EGFR, VEGF) and block it or mark the cell for destruction.
What they are
Engineered antibodies used alone or with chemotherapy: trastuzumab (HER2), rituximab (CD20), cetuximab (EGFR), bevacizumab (VEGF) and the bispecific blinatumomab (CD19 and CD3). Their names tell their origin: -ximab chimeric, -zumab humanised.
Mechanism of action
They act outside the cell. Some block a growth signal (trastuzumab on HER2, cetuximab on EGFR) or trap a growth factor (bevacizumab on VEGF). Others coat the cancer cell so that complement and immune cells destroy it (rituximab on CD20, through complement and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity). Blinatumomab bridges T cells to CD19-positive leukaemia cells.
Target: Cell-surface antigens and growth factors (HER2, CD20, EGFR, VEGF, CD19)
Drugs in this class
- BevacizumabAn antibody that traps VEGF and starves tumours of new blood vessels; used in colorectal, lung, ovarian and cervical…Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)
- RituximabAn anti-CD20 antibody that destroys B cells; a backbone of lymphoma and CLL treatment, also used in rheumatoid…CD20 (B-lymphocyte surface antigen)
- TrastuzumabAn anti-HER2 antibody for HER2-positive breast and stomach cancer. Its key risk is heart failure, so the heart's…HER2 (ErbB2) receptor tyrosine kinase, extracellular domain IV
- CetuximabChimeric anti-EGFR antibody for RAS wild-type colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer; typical effects: acne-like…Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), extracellular domain III
- BlinatumomabA bispecific antibody that links T cells (CD3) to B-lineage leukaemia cells (CD19) to kill them; used in B-cell ALL…CD19 on B cells and CD3 on T cells
- AmivantamabA bispecific antibody that hits both EGFR and MET; used in EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Infusion reactions and skin rash…EGFR and MET receptors (bispecific antibody)
- DaratumumabHuman anti-CD38 antibody that marks myeloma cells for immune killing. Infusion reactions are common, and it disturbs…CD38, a surface glycoprotein abundant on myeloma plasma cells
- PertuzumabAnti-HER2 antibody that blocks HER2 pairing with other HER receptors. Given with trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast…HER2 (ErbB2) receptor tyrosine kinase, extracellular dimerisation domain II
- ObinutuzumabGlycoengineered anti-CD20 antibody with stronger immune killing than rituximab. For CLL and follicular lymphoma; can…CD20 (B-lymphocyte surface antigen)
- PanitumumabFully human anti-EGFR antibody for metastatic colorectal cancer without RAS mutations. Rash is nearly universal…Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1), extracellular domain III
- RamucirumabHuman antibody against VEGF receptor 2 that blocks tumour blood-vessel growth. For gastric, lung, colorectal and liver…Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2, KDR) on endothelial cells
Others in the class
- pertuzumab
- panitumumab
- obinutuzumab
- ramucirumab
- daratumumab
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What does the suffix -ximab tell you, compared with -zumab?
-ximab is a chimeric (mouse–human) antibody; -zumab is humanised.
Which antibody requires an echocardiogram (ejection fraction) before starting?
Trastuzumab, because it can cause heart failure.
Which virus must be screened for before rituximab?
Hepatitis B, because rituximab can reactivate it.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Rituximab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2022); Trastuzumab Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.