Zalutumumab

Zalutumumab (proposed trade name HuMax-EGFr) is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed towards the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr). It is a product developed by Genmab in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Specifically, zalutumumab is designed for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), a type of cancer. The current treatment for SCCHN includes tyrosine kinase inhibitors and human monoclonal antibodies. In addition, murine mAbs were tested successfully in mice, but caused an immune response in humans and were thus determined as ineffective in therapeutics.