Chimeric fusion proteins--diphtheria toxin-based.
Most cancer patients receive chemotherapy drugs that target DNA or the cell division apparatus. Many of these patients develop multidrug-resistant tumor cells, thus, novel methods to overcome drug resistance are needed. One approach is to target tumor cell protein synthesis. Peptide toxins, which catalytically inactivate protein synthesis, have been re-engineered to selectively bind and intoxicate tumor cells. Diphtheria toxin (DT), a member of the class of peptide toxins, has been subjected to structural and genetic analysis and protein engineering for several decades. In this review, we will examine the structure, function, synthesis and pharmacology of anticancer DT conjugates.
Frankel
A E
AE
Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. afrankel@wfubmc.edu
Powell
B L
BL
Vallera
D A
DA
Neville
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins