Human anti-mouse antibody
Encyclopedia
Human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) is an antibody
found in humans which reacts in immunoglobins found in mice
.
and immune disorder
s. Antibodies are proteins which are naturally formed by the body in response to a foreign substance, known as an antigen
. Antibodies can also be grown outside of the patient’s body and injected into them to help aide the immune system to fight disease. These types of antibodies are typically called monoclonal antibodies
because they are created to target one specific antigen. Herceptin and Avastin, two widely used cancer fighting drugs, are examples of monoclonal antibodies.
For several decades, and until recently, mice were used extensively in the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). But the treatments were not as effective as doctors had hoped. One problem was that patients reacted to the mouse antibodies as if they were a foreign substance, and created a new set of antibodies to the mouse antibodies. Doctors have termed this the “HAMA response,” referring to the development of Human Anti-Mouse Antibodies (HAMA). The HAMA response is essentially an allergic reaction to the mouse antibodies that can range from a mild form, like a rash
, to a more extreme and life-threatening response, such as renal failure. HAMA can also decrease the effectiveness of the treatment, or create a future reaction if the patient is given a subsequent treatment containing mouse antibodies.
It has been observed that anywhere from one-third to more than half of patients receiving mouse-derived antibodies will develop some form of HAMA response. Even more startling, at least ten percent of the general population has been observed to carry some form of animal-derived antibodies, most often from mice, due to the preponderance of medical agents made from the serum
of animals.
Monoclonal antibodies can be generated for human use without mice by using in vitro
techniques. MAbs manufactured using these methods do not suffer from the drawbacks related to the HAMA response. Animal protection groups fought for years to end MAb production in mice because it causes intense suffering for the animals that includes severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and death.
It took considerable, sustained pressure from animal welfare groups, led by legal efforts initiated by the American Anti-Vivisection Society, before this would change. Today in vitro methods of MAb production are recognized and promoted by the National Institutes of Health and are required of all investigators who receive federal funding if their work involves producing MAbs.
The existence of HAMA can complicate laboratory measurements.
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
found in humans which reacts in immunoglobins found in mice
MICE
-Fiction:*Mice , alien species in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*The Mice -Acronyms:* "Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions", facilities terminology for events...
.
The HAMA response
Antibody treatment is a type of therapy that is used to treat certain types of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and immune disorder
Immune disorder
An immune disorder is a dysfunction of the immune system. These disorders can be characterized in several different ways:* By the component of the immune system affected* By whether the immune system is overactive or underactive...
s. Antibodies are proteins which are naturally formed by the body in response to a foreign substance, known as an antigen
Antigen
An antigen is a foreign molecule that, when introduced into the body, triggers the production of an antibody by the immune system. The immune system will then kill or neutralize the antigen that is recognized as a foreign and potentially harmful invader. These invaders can be molecules such as...
. Antibodies can also be grown outside of the patient’s body and injected into them to help aide the immune system to fight disease. These types of antibodies are typically called monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are monospecific antibodies that are the same because they are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell....
because they are created to target one specific antigen. Herceptin and Avastin, two widely used cancer fighting drugs, are examples of monoclonal antibodies.
For several decades, and until recently, mice were used extensively in the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). But the treatments were not as effective as doctors had hoped. One problem was that patients reacted to the mouse antibodies as if they were a foreign substance, and created a new set of antibodies to the mouse antibodies. Doctors have termed this the “HAMA response,” referring to the development of Human Anti-Mouse Antibodies (HAMA). The HAMA response is essentially an allergic reaction to the mouse antibodies that can range from a mild form, like a rash
Rash
A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and...
, to a more extreme and life-threatening response, such as renal failure. HAMA can also decrease the effectiveness of the treatment, or create a future reaction if the patient is given a subsequent treatment containing mouse antibodies.
It has been observed that anywhere from one-third to more than half of patients receiving mouse-derived antibodies will develop some form of HAMA response. Even more startling, at least ten percent of the general population has been observed to carry some form of animal-derived antibodies, most often from mice, due to the preponderance of medical agents made from the serum
Serum
Serum may refer to:*Blood serum, a component of blood which is collected after coagulation.**Antiserum, blood serum with specific antibodies for passive immunity*Serous fluid, any clear bodily fluid*any drug derived from an animal's blood or serous fluid...
of animals.
Monoclonal antibodies can be generated for human use without mice by using in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
techniques. MAbs manufactured using these methods do not suffer from the drawbacks related to the HAMA response. Animal protection groups fought for years to end MAb production in mice because it causes intense suffering for the animals that includes severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and death.
It took considerable, sustained pressure from animal welfare groups, led by legal efforts initiated by the American Anti-Vivisection Society, before this would change. Today in vitro methods of MAb production are recognized and promoted by the National Institutes of Health and are required of all investigators who receive federal funding if their work involves producing MAbs.
The existence of HAMA can complicate laboratory measurements.