Antibody targeted drugs for cancer therapy Dissertation

Antibody targeted drugs for cancer therapy - Dissertation Example Targeting of an antigen that is suitable is done, the conjugate attached to it, which is usually inactive is internalized through endocytosis that is receptor mediated, without undergoing any modification. The conjugate taken thus into the cell is then released into the cell from the lysosome and the cytotoxic activity is then restored. This is the principle behind antibody targeted chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies are currently considered as important treatment approaches for malignancy because of their tolerance and also effectiveness in the treatment of various cancers. However, in view of limited scope for clinical trials only a few monoclonal antibodies are approved for clinical use and application against cancer. They not only have a role as anticancer agents, but also have ability to increase the selectivity of various other anticancer agents which are not effective when applied alone. Introduction Classic anticancer treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and su rgical resection. ... eal treatments of cancer where the toxicity is exerted only on tumor tissues and normal tissues are spared, application of monoclonal antibodies for target approach of cancer therapy has found its way. Such an application has revolutionized because of hybridoma technology which has contributed to the production of monoclonal antibodies. When these are used for anticancer treatment, they either target the cancer cells directly, or get exerted after conjugation with cytotoxic drugs or immunotoxins or enzymes (Juntilla et al, 2011). Thus, immunotherapy has become the fourth modality of cancer therapy. Strategies for this therapeutic application are destruction of cancer cells that are directed by immune reaction, interference of the therapy with the growth and differentiation of cancer cells, transport of anti-cancer agents to the cancer cells based on antigen epitopes, anti-idiotype vaccination and finally, development of humanised mouse monoclonal antibodies through genetic engineerin g. Several agents like radionucleotides, toxins and chemotherapeutic agents have been conjugated for anticancer application. These forms of treatment are not only useful following surgical resection but also can be employed in terminal cancer stages (Bodey et al, 2000). In this review, role of antibody mediated cancer therapy will be discussed through review of suitable articles. Monoclonal antibodies Antibodies that are produced from a single type of immune cell are known as monoclonal antibodies. Since these antibodies are basically clones of a single parent cell, they are all identical. Monoclonal antibodies have wide application both in diagnostic and therapeutic clinical arenas (Lambert et al, 2005). Currently, they are used in the treatment of various conditions like cancer, rejection