gemtuzumab

Gemtuzumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G subtype 4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the CD33 antigen. It serves as the antibody component of the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) gemtuzumab ozogamicin, which is marketed under the brand name Mylotarg. In this conjugate, gemtuzumab binds to CD33-expressing cells, primarily found on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, facilitating the internalization of the ADC. Once inside the cell, a cytotoxic agent (calicheamicin) is released, leading to DNA damage and subsequent cell death. The development of gemtuzumab ozogamicin was a collaboration between Wyeth (now Pfizer) and Celltech (now UCB).