title: Monoclonal antibodies in drug targeting.
abstract: The objective of drug targeting is to deliver drugs to a specific site of action through a carrier system. In cancer chemotherapy, cytotoxic drugs kill cancerous cells but also damage normal cells. Monoclonal antibodies generated against specific antigens, when conjugated to cytotoxic drugs, can selectively deliver drugs to cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. Of all the carrier systems available, monoclonal antibodies are gaining importance because of their high specificity. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive account of the use of monoclonal antibodies in drug targeting, highlighting their scope and limitations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Punjab, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panchagnula
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Dey
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000922:Immunotoxins; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations