Mouse antibodies, also known as murine antibodies, are antibodies derived from mice. These antibodies have been widely used in research and therapeutic applications due to their ability to target specific antigens .
One significant challenge with using mouse antibodies in humans is the Human Anti-Mouse Antibody (HAMA) response. When mouse antibodies are introduced into the human body, the immune system may recognize them as foreign and produce antibodies against them. This response can range from mild reactions, such as rashes, to severe reactions, such as kidney failure . The HAMA response can also reduce the effectiveness of the treatment and complicate laboratory measurements .
To overcome the limitations of mouse antibodies, advances in antibody engineering have led to the development of chimeric, humanized, and fully human antibodies. Chimeric antibodies combine mouse and human antibody sequences, while humanized antibodies have a higher proportion of human sequences. Fully human antibodies are generated using techniques such as phage display and transgenic mouse models . These advancements have improved the safety, specificity, and efficacy of antibody-based therapies .