Bivatuzumab Explained

Bivatuzumab (previously BIWA 4) is a humanized monoclonal antibody against CD44 v6.^{[1] [2]}

It is officially described as "immunoglobulin G1 (human-mouse monoclonal BIWA4 γ1-chain anti-human antigen CD44v6), disulfide with human-mouse monoclonal BIWA4 κ-chain, dimer".^[3] Prior to 2002 it was described as targeting CD44 v8.^[4]

It has been chemically linked to various radioisotopes for use in radiotherapy for, e.g. inoperable recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.^[1]

It has also been linked to a cytotoxic drug mertansine to form bivatuzumab mertansine.

Notes and References

1. Postema EJ, Börjesson PK, Buijs WC, Roos JC, Marres HA, Boerman OC, de Bree R, Lang M, Munzert G, van Dongen GA, Oyen WJ . 6 . Dosimetric analysis of radioimmunotherapy with 186Re-labeled bivatuzumab in patients with head and neck cancer . Journal of Nuclear Medicine . 44 . 10 . 1690–9 . October 2003 . 14530488 .
2. Börjesson PK, Postema EJ, Roos JC, Colnot DR, Marres HA, van Schie MH, Stehle G, de Bree R, Snow GB, Oyen WJ, van Dongen GA . Phase I therapy study with (186)Re-labeled humanized monoclonal antibody BIWA 4 (bivatuzumab) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma . Clinical Cancer Research . 9 . 10 Pt 2 . 3961S–72S . September 2003 . 14506195 .
3. Amendments to Previous Lists . WHO Drug Information . 16 . 3 . 2002 .
4. Recommended INN: List 45 . WHO Drug Information . 15 . 1 . 2001 . 4 .