A new biologic agent named 'xyzumab' is reported in a journal. Based on the standard nomenclature for monoclonal antibodies, this agent is:

• A A small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor
• B A fully humanised or human monoclonal antibody ✓
• C A fusion protein linking an antibody Fc region to a receptor
• D An antibody-drug conjugate carrying a cytotoxin

Explanation

The suffix identifies the molecule class: '-mab' denotes a monoclonal antibody, '-nib' a small molecule kinase inhibitor such as imatinib, and '-cept' a receptor-Fc fusion protein such as etanercept. Within the mab family, '-omab' indicates murine origin, '-imab' chimeric, '-umab' human, and '-zumab' humanised. Option A would end in '-nib', so it is eliminated by the stem itself.

Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 16th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.