The Herceptin molecule
Herceptin is a recombinant humanised IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity to the extracellular domain of HER2. The molecule contains antigen-binding loops from within the variable region of an anti-HER2 murine monoclonal antibody (4D5), linked to human variable region framework residues and IgG1 constant domains1.
Figure 1.2 Herceptin binding to HER2
As the majority of the molecule is of human origin, Herceptin has low potential for immunogenicity and resultant production of anti-Herceptin antibodies.
References
1. Cho HS et al. Nature 2003; 421: 756-760.