Targeted toxins.
Targeted toxins, consisting of tumor-selective ligands coupled to polypeptide toxins, represent a new class of cancer therapeutics that kills malignant cells by inactivating cytosolic protein synthesis and inducing apoptosis. A number of these molecules have been produced under good manufacturing practice conditions and given systemically to patients with a variety of neoplasms. The promising results to date and the remaining pharmacological hurdles are discussed.
Frankel
A E
AE
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. AFrankel@WFUBMC.edu
Kreitman
R J
RJ
Sausville
E A
EA
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; D000922:Immunotoxins