Human PD-1 antibody family - Pembrolizumab & Nivolumab

The Anti-hPD1 isotype family features the variable region of nivolumab or pembrolizumab.

Principle of PD-1/PD-L1 cellular assay
(click to enlarge)

Pembrolizumab is a humanized IgG4 (S228P) monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor found on activated T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells. Pembrolizumab binds and blocks the activation of the PD-1 receptor, thereby resulting in the activation of T cells. This antibody contains an engineered hinge region mutation (S228P) designed to prevent the exchange of IgG4 molecules. Pembrolizumab has been approved by the FDA and in the EU for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 (S228P) monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1. Nivolumab binds and blocks the activation of the PD-1 receptor, thereby resulting in the activation of T cells and cell-mediated immune responses. This antibody contains an engineered hinge region mutation (S228P) designed to prevent the exchange of IgG4 molecules. Nivolumab has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of melanoma and metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The anti-hPD1 isotype family has been generated by recombinant DNA technology. It has been produced in CHO cells and purified by different types of affinity chromatography: protein G for IgG1/2/4 and peptide M for IgA2. More isotypes are available and can be used for comparison of biological activities such as ADCC (see below or in the 'upon request' section).