Catalytic antibody (Abzyme (commonly used), sometimes "catmab" or "catab")

A **catalytic antibody** (abzyme) is a monoclonal antibody engineered or selected to possess enzyme-like catalytic activity in addition to its natural ability to bind antigens[1][2][3][5][8]. These antibodies are typically generated by immunizing hosts with transition-state analogs of chemical reactions, enabling the resulting antibody to stabilize the reaction’s transition state and thereby lower the activation energy, much like natural enzymes[5][8]. Naturally occurring catalytic antibodies have been observed in autoimmune diseases (such as lupus), but most are laboratory creations[2][5]. Catalytic antibodies can facilitate a variety of reactions—including hydrolysis, redox, and covalent transformations—by mechanisms such as acid-base catalysis, covalent catalysis, or metal ion coordination[1][3]. Promising applications include targeted prodrug activation for cancer therapy, degradation of addictive substances (cocaine, nicotine), protection from toxic agents (organophosphates), antiviral and antibacterial activity, and potential roles in neurodegenerative diseases through degradation of pathogenic proteins[2][4][6]. Despite their versatility, abzymes generally display lower catalytic efficiency than natural enzymes, and their use as therapeutic agents remains experimental; safety data in animal models is encouraging, but clinical translation is not yet established[4][5][6].

Other names

Abzymecatalytic monoclonal antibodyantibody-enzymecatmabcatab

Transition state stabilization, General acid-base catalysis, Nucleophilic catalysis, Covalent catalysis, Metal ion-dependent catalysis, Induction of conformational strain, Antigen degradation